C//L 


Li- 


LIBEAEY 

OF   THE 

Theological    Semi  nary, 

PBINHETON      NT    I 


BV  4832  .R4  1839 
Reade,  Thomas  Shaw  Bancroft 
Christian  retirement,  or, 
Spiritual  exercises  of  the 


D  M  1L  '1  B  T  1  A  Ix( 


C 


11  IBi    1'    I   E   1]    M  E   JN  1' 


CHRISTIAN   RETIREMENT: 


SPIRITUAL    EXERCISES    OF    THE    HEART 


BY    THE    AUTHOR    OF 

CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE  AS  DISPLAYED  IN  THE  LIFE  AND 
WRITINGS  OF  ST.  PAUL." 


3 


"  Commune  with  your  own  heart." — Psalm  iv,  4. 

1  Jesus  went  up  into  a  mountain  apart  to  pray."— Matthew  xiv,  23. 

"  My  meditation  of  him  shall  be  sweet." — Psalm  civ,  34. 


SECOND  AMERICAN 
FROM    THE    EIGHTH    LONDON    EDITION. 


NEW   YORK: 
PUBLISHED  BY  JOHN   S.   TAYLOR, 

CORNER    OF    PARK-ROW    AND    NASSAU-STREET, 
OPPOSITE    THE    CITY    HALL. 

1839. 


PREFACE. 


The  Bible  is  the  sacred  storehouse  of  heavenly  wisdom. 
Its  pages  are  stamped  with  the  divine  seal  of  eternal  truth, 
and  contain  the  charter  of  our  hopes,  our  privileges,  and  our 
joys. 

Whatever  tends  to  lead  us  from  the  love  and  study  of 
the  Holy  Scriptures,  should  be  dreaded  as  inimical  to  the 
highest  interests  of  mankind ;  whilst  every  attempt,  how- 
ever feeble,  which  has  for  its  object  the  promotion  of  the 
Redeemer's  glory,  and  the  good  of  souls,  will  be  received 
with  affectionate  indulgence  by  real  Christians,  who  well 
know  that  success  in  any  effort  of  usefulness  is  from  above. 
"  Not  by  might,  nor  by  power,  but  by  my  Spirit,  saith  the 
Lord?  is  a  declaration  at  once  calculated  to  strengthen  the 
weak,  and  to  humble  the  strong. 

The  simple  design  in  publishing  the  following  reflections, 
is  to  induce  a  habit  of  self-examination  and  prayer ;  and  to 
excite  to  a  more  diligent  perusal  of  the  word  of  God. 

The  Author,  therefore,  desires  to  come  in  the  kindly  as- 
pect of  a  friendly  visiter ;  and  if  privileged  to  enter  into 
the  sacred  retirement  of  the  Christian,  would  there,  through 
the  blessing  of  God,  endeavor  to  lead  him  into  a  closer  com- 
munion with  his  own  heart,  and  with  Jesus,  his  exalted 
Saviour. 


4  PREFACE. 

Nothing  new  is  here  presented  to  the  Christian. 

The  good  old  way  in  which  the  patriarchs,  prophets, 
apostles,  and  all  true  believers  in  every  age  have  journeyed 
to  the  heavenly  Canaan,  is  pointed  out. 

Jesus  is  the  way,  the  only  way  to  the  Father ;  the  living 
way  to  holiness,  happiness,  and  heaven. 

The  prophet  Isaiah  was  commanded  to  teach  the  people 
by  line  upon  line,  and  precept  upon  precept ;  where,  there- 
fore, the  same  unspeakably  precious  truths  recur  again  and 
again  in  these  pages,  their  recurrence  will  not  offend  the 
humble  believer  who  has  tasted  that  the  Lord  is  gracious. 

As  bread  and  water  are  always  pleasant  to  a  healthy 
stomach,  so  the  bread  of  life  and  the  water  of  life  are  pecu- 
liarly refreshing  to  the  soul  which  is  hungering  and  thirsting 
after  righteousness. 

An  original  hymn  is  subjoined  to  each  meditation,  which, 
it  is  hoped,  may  assist  the  spirit  of  piety,  although  it  can 
lay  little  claim  to  the  charms  of  poetry.  The  Christian 
reader  must  kindly  excuse  the  frequent  want  of  close  con- 
nexion between  the  hymns  and  the  meditations  to  which 
they  are  attached,  as  they  were  composed  before  the  present 
volume  was  contemplated  by  its  author. 

Should  the  Lord  condescend  to  bless  these  humble  ex- 
ercises of  the  heart,  to  the  guiding  of  some  young  inquirer 
to  the  Friend  of  sinners ;  to  the  quickening  of  some  luke- 
warm professor ;  to  the  convincing  of  some  sceptic ;  or  the 
comforting  of  some  afflicted  believer;  to  the  Triune  God 
of  our  salvation  be  all  the  praise. 


CONTENTS 


Retirement           .... 

PAOE 

9 

Insensibility  to  eternal  things 
The  Fall 

13 
.       17 

The  Prohibition  in  Paradise 

.       24 

Unbelief       ..... 

.       28 

The  total  Depravity  of  the  heart    . 
The  Deceitfulness  of  the  heart 

.       35 

.       40 

Keeping  the  heart 

The  Blessedness  of  a  new  heart  . 

.       45 
50 

The  Immensity  of  God 
The  Divine  Sovereignty 
The  Two  Covenants     . 

.       55 
.       63 

.       70 

The  Love  of  God 

.       76 

The  Gift  of  a  Saviour  . 

.       83 

The  Design  of  the  Gospel    . 
Perverted  Views  of  the  Gospel     . 

.       93 

98 

The  Nature  of  Christianity   . 

,     102 

Neglecting  the  Gospel 
Inadequate  views  of  human  nature 

107 
112 

Two  common  Errors    . 

117 

The  cause  of  Scepticism       .         f         , 
The  Almost  Christian           '.         [ 

122 
126 

6  CONTENTS. 

pxqx 
Conversion 131 

The  New  Creature 137 

Christian  Unity 141 

Following  the  Lord  fully 148 

The  two  great  Instruments  in  the  conversion  of  sinners      154 
The  two  Sources  .         .         ..         .         .         .         .162 

The  two  Pillars 166 

The  two  Ways 173 

Mercy  rejoicing  against  Judgment         .         .         .         .179 

Intellectual  and  Spiritual  light 184 

Knowledge  and  Wisdom 189 

Passive  Impressions  and  Active  Habits  .        .        .194 

Union  to  Christ 199 

The  Christian  Character 204 

Christian  Motives 211 

Christian  Conversation  216 

Christian  Privilege 223 

Agreement  necessary  to  Communion     ....     230 

Separation  from  the  world 237 

The  importance  of  Se]f-knowledge        ....     243 

The  Spirit  of  Prayer 248 

The  Cautions  and  Warnings  of  Scripture       .         .        .255 

Self-deception 262 

Lukewarmness 267 

Forgetfulness  of  God .         .     273 

Watchfulness 278 

The  Danger  of  Riches 287 

The  Thorns  of  the  Parable 296 

The  Pa -able  of  the  Rich  Man  and  Lazarus   .        .         .304 

The  three  Enemies 310 

Indwelling  Sin 316 

Trials  .....  ....    322 


CONTENTS.  7 

PAGE 

Affliction 330 

The  character  of  Martha  and  Mary        ....  339 

The  character  of  the  Bereans 343 

The  Living  Water 350 

The  Burning  Bush 356 

Adoption 364 

Faith 370 

Hope 378 

Love 384 

Joy 393 

Peace 398 

Humility 402 

Meekness 407 

Purity 411 

Godly  Fear 416 

The  Believer's  Aim  and  Hope 420 

True  Happiness 427 

True  Religion 432 

Election 439 

Spiritual  Vision 447 

Heaven 451 

The  Blessedness  of  Saints 458 

Christian  Obedience 464 

Day  of  Judgment •  470 


CHRISTIAN   RETIREMENT. 


I. ON    RETIREMENT. 

How  needful  to  the  real  Christian,  surrounded  as  he  is 
by  sensible  objects,  which  have  so  powerful  an  influence 
on  his  mind  and  affections,  are  seasons  for  retirement 
from  the  hurry  and  distracting  cares  of  the  world  ! 

The  soul  cannot  prosper  in  spiritual  things,  without 
much  secret  converse  with  its  God  and  Saviour. 

Many  duties  are  unavoidably  of  a  public  nature  ;  but 
these,  except  in  extraordinary  cases,  should  not  occupy 
those  portions  of  time,  which  are  sacred  to  meditation, 
reading  the  Scriptures,  and  prayer. 

There  is  something  peculiarly  pleasant  and  profitable 
in  the  interchange  of  activity  and  retirement. 

As  activity  sweetens  retirement,  so  retirement  pre- 
pares the  mind  for  renewed  activity. 

Those  persons  who  are  most  engaged  in  active  labors 
for  the  benefit  of  others,  will  find  peculiar  need  for 
frequent  retirement.  In  their  closets,  they  must  draw 
down  from  the  Fountain  of  love,  by  faith  and  prayer, 
that  spiritual  strength,  and  those  heavenly  graces, 
which  alone  can  enable  them  to  labor  perseveringly,  as 
well  as  suffer  patiently  for  Christ's  sake. 

The  present  times,  which  are  so  happily  characteriz- 
ed by  religious  exertion,  render  this  duty  highly  need- 


10  RETIREMENT. 

ful.  It  is  no  uncommon  thing  to  hear  excellent  per- 
sons complain,  that  their  whole  time  is  nearly  divided 
between  their  own  avocations  and  the  claims  of  multi- 
plying societies  ;  thus  leaving  little  or  no  leisure  for  the 
important  duty  of  Christian  retirement. 

Hence,  spirituality  of  mind  is  much  injured  from  the 
constant  bustle  in  which  some  benevolent  persons  live. 
They  have  frequent  cause  to  join  in  the  lamentation  of 
the  Spouse  in  the  Canticles  :  "  They  made  me  a  keeper 
of  vineyards  ;  but  mine  own  vineyard  have  I  not  kept." 

The  increase  of  valuable  institutions,  formed  for  the 
purpose  of  extending  the  kingdom  of  Christ  throughout 
the  earth,  calls  for  perpetual  gratitude  to  God,  who 
thus  designs  to  bless  our  favored  island  with  the  light 
of  his  truth,  and  to  stir  up  his  faithful  servants  to  those 
interesting  labors  of  love. 

But  it  never  was  the  design  of  Infinite  Wisdom,  that 
one  duty  should  extirpate  another. 

As  every  thing  is  beautiful  in  its  season,  so  there  is  a 
time  for  every  thing. 

The  art  of  doing  much,  consists  in  giving  to  every 
duty  its  proper  place,  time,  and  quantity.  Here  much 
wisdom  is  required ;  yet  by  prayer,  watchfulness,  and 
self-denial,  much  practical  knowledge  may  be  attained. 

When  we  seldom  retire  for  holy  converse  with  God, 
is  there  not  great  reason  to  suspect  some  latent,  though 
perhaps  unconscious  repugnance  to  the  more  silent,  un- 
obtrusive offices  of  secret  devotion  1 

Some  persons  grow  almost  melancholy  if  much  alone. 
This  surely  betrays  a  defect  either  in  the  constitution  or 
the  heart.  Absolute  solitude  is  decidedly  injurious; 
since  He  who  made  us  hath  declared,  that  "  it  is  not 
good  that  man  should  be  alone."  But  occasional  re- 
tirement, for  the  delightful  purpose  of  holding  converse 
with  the  Saviour,  greatly  refreshes  the  spiritual  facul- 


RETIREMENT.  11 

ties,  just  as  rest  from  bodily  labor  recruits  the  wasted 
powers  of  our  animal  frame. 

Some  good  men  are  so  wedded  to  their  studies,  that 
they  can  scarcely  force  themselves  from  their  beloved 
retreat ;  while  others  are  so  fond  of  active  pursuits,  that 
their  minds  seem  averse  to  the  sedentary  employments 
of  the  closet.  Like  birds  of  passage,  they  live  upon  the 
wing. 

Both  these  extremes  are  faulty,  and  consequently 
hurtful  to  each  party.  Every  man  has  his  circle  of 
duty  to  fill  up.  This  is  larger  or  smaller,  according  to 
the  station  in  which  God  has  placed  him.  Let  no  one 
think  that  he  may  live  for  himself  alone.  Each  indi- 
vidual has  a  sphere  of  usefulness  to  occupy ;  and  his 
happiness  is  closely  connected  with  the  performance  of 
his  duty.  Our  divine  Redeemer  has  left  us  an  example 
that  we  should  tread  in  his  steps,  May  we  daily  study 
the  conduct  of  Him  whose  life  was  one  continued  exer- 
cise of  unwearied  benevolence — "who  went  about  doing 
good." 

Nothing  can  more  beautifully  exemplify  the  duties 
of  holy  retirement  and  active  benevolence,  than  the  life 
of  Jesus.  In  the  Gospels,  we  read  how  incessant  were 
his  labors  for  the  spiritual  and  temporal  good  of  the 
thousands  who  followed  him.  And  there  we  also  read, 
how  "  he  went  up  into  a  mountain  apart  to  pray ;"  how 
"  when  the  evening  was  come,  he  was  there  alone ;" 
how  "  he  continued  all  night  in  prayer  to  God." 

This  he  did,  not  occasionally,  but  frequently ;  thus 
setting  us  an  illustrious  example  of  ardent  devotion, 
combined  with  unceasing  exertion  for  the  present  and 
future  happiness  of  fallen  man. 

Come,  then,  Oh !  my  soul,  and  withdraw  thyself  from 
a  thoughtless  world,  which  is  so  eagerly  pursuing  the 
phantom  of  happiness.    Look  unto  Jesus — place  all  thy 


1&  RETIREMENT. 

affections  upon  him.  He  is  the  only  source  of  spiritual 
felicity. 

Whilst  delighting  thyself  in  the  active  services  of  a 
loving  obedience,  seek  an  increase  of  grace  by  daily 
secret  converse  with  the  Saviour. 

We  love  the  society  of  a  dear  friend.  Can  we  then 
be  strangers  to  communion  with  Jesus,  if  we  indeed 
love  him?  Oh!  that  we  may  feel  a  sweeter  relish  for 
sacred  retirement,  when  this  retirement  is  designed  to 
cultivate  a  closer  acquaintance  with  our  own  hearts, 
and  with  Him  who  is  "  the  chiefest  among  ten  thou- 
sand,"— the  "  altogether  lovely." 

Blessed  Spirit  of  grace  and  truth,  shed  forth  thy 
kindly  influences  on  my  soul.  Preserve  me  from  spirit- 
ual sloth,  under  the  specious  mask  of  religious  retire- 
ment ;  and  from  ostentatious  pride,  under  the  imposing 
garb  of  active  benevolence. 

Oh !  make  me  sincere  in  all  my  professions  of  love 
and  obedience ;  simply  depending  on  thy  grace,  whilst 
laboring  to  promote  the  welfare  of  my  fellow-creatures ; 
that  in  all  things  I  may  be  willing  to  do  and  suffer  thy 
righteous  will. 


Jesus  !  my  soul  would  now  repose 
Beneath  the  banner  of  thy  love: 

Each  rising  storm  do  thou  compose, 
Each  darkening  cloud  far  hence  remove. 

Beneath  thy  smile  is  heavenly  bliss ; 

How  sweet  is  solitude  with  thee ! 
My  soul,  in  such  a  world  as  this, 

May  now  from  anxious  cares  be  free. 

Reveal  thy  mercies  to  my  heart ; 

"With  joy  my  longing  spirit  fill ; 
Thy  grace  unceasingly  impart, 

To  do  and  suffer  all  thy  will. 


INSENSIBILITY    TO    ETERNAL    THINGS.  13 

O !  leave  me  not  one  moment,  Lord  ; 

Uphold  me  all  my  journey  through  j 
Then  will  my  soul  on  high  record 

The  wonders  sov'reign  grace  can  do. 

Yes,  when  I  stand  before  thy  throne, 

A  monument  of  love  divine, 
Transported,  I'll  adoring  own 

The  grace  which  made  such  blessings  mine. 


II. ON    INSENSIBILITY    TO    ETERNAL    THINGS. 

Come,  Oh  !  my  soul,  call  in  thy  scattered  thoughts ; 
collect  thy  wandering  desires,  and  meditate  with  solemn 
awe  on  everlasting  things. 

How  busy  is  the  world  !  How  big  with  designs,  all 
resting  on  to-morrow  !  But  to-morrow's  sun  may  never 
rise  on  thousands  who  are  fondly  hoping  to  behold  a 
range  of  following  years.  Short-sighted  mortals  !  He 
who  ruleth  over  all,  hath  assigned  to  each  a  limit,  be- 
yond which  the  worldling  cannot  pass.  Man  hath  an 
appointed  time  upon  earth  ;  his  days  are  days  of  an 
hireling.  Oh  !  for  true  wisdom  to  learn  the  measure  of 
our  days ;  and  to  compute  with  justness  the  extent  of 
life. 

The  volume  of  inspiration  has  done  this  with  peculiar 
force  and  beauty.  There  human  life  is  compared  to  a 
sleep  ;  to  the  rapidity  of  a  flood  ;  to  a  tale  that  is  told ; 
to  a  vapor  that  appeareth  for  a  little  time  ;  to  a  flower 
which  flourished!  in  the  morning,  and  in  the  evening  is 
cut  down  and  withered ;  to  vanity ;  to  a  shadow  that 
passeth  away. 

Eternity, — that  solemn  word  soon  passes  from  the 
lip ;  but  who  can  grasp  the  mighty,  the  immense  idea, 

2 


14  INSENSIBILITY    TO 

which  this  word  eternity  conveys?  All  thought  is 
lost  in  its  immensity,  and  swallowed  up  in  its  fathom- 
less abyss. 

The  mind  may  conceive,  though  faintly,  of  millions 
of  ages  heaped  upon  millions,  till  numbers  lose  them- 
selves ;  or  rather  till  we  are  lost  in  the  vast  calculation. 

But  who  can  measure  eternity ;  compared  with, 
whose  everlasting  lines,  myriads  of  years  are  infinitely 
less  than  atoms  floating  in  the  mid-day  sun  ? 

All  men  are  hastening  to  eternity.  All  are  standing 
upon  the  brink  of  an  interminable  state  of  being.  Yet 
all,  except  the  little  flock  of  Christ,  are  living  as  if  life 
would  never  end  ;  and  die  as  if  beyond  the  grave  there 
was  nothing  to  awaken  their  solicitous  concern. 

Awful  insensibility  !  How  fatally  has  sin  blinded  the 
mind  of  them  that  believe  not !  Men  are  willing  to 
believe  that  which  they  wish  to  be  true.  They  flatter 
themselves  that  all  will  be  well  at  the  last,  though  they 
follow  the  corrupt  desires  of  their  hearts,  in  direct  op- 
position to  the  revealed  will  of  God. 

Here,  indeed,  the  wicked,  from  their  animal  nature, 
have  many  objects  to  gratify  their  sensitive  appetites, 
even  at  the  very  time  when  their  spirits  are  enduring 
the  stings  and  lashes  of  an  upbraiding  conscience.  But 
in  eternity,  where  the  body  shall  no  longer  be  the  seat 
of  animal  desire  ;  in  eternity,  where  all  the  sensual 
gratifications  shall  for  ever  cease  ;  the  soul  will  expe- 
rience no  change  from  pain  to  pleasure,  or  from  pleasure 
to  pain  ;  but  all  will  be  either  unmixed  pain  or  unalloy- 
ed pleasure. 

Surely  no  thought  can  be  more  awakening  than  this; 
and  yet  with  what  subtlety  does  the  heart  evade  its 
force  ;  with  what  shocking  indifference  is  it  treated  by 
a  world  of  dying  sinners  ! 

Oh,  blessed  Jesus  !  thou  compassionate  High  Priest, 


ETERNAL    THINGS.  15 

Oh  blessed  Jesus  !  thou  compassionate  High  Priest, 
awaken  my  drowsy  sense.  Deliver  me  from  the  fatal 
lethargy  of  unbelief.  Captivate  all  my  heart  by  the 
sweet  constraining  influence  of  redeeming  love. 

Thou  who  art  the  Sun  of  Righteousness,  dispel  the 
mist  of  error  ;  dissipate  every  darkening  cloud  which 
would  intercept  thy  cheering  beam  ;  and  let  all  thy 
brightness  burst  upon  my  ravished  sight. 

Reveal  thyself  as  my  Saviour  ;  let  all  thy  goodness 
pass  before  me  ;  say  to  my  trembling  heart — "  I  am 
thy  salvation  :" — then  shall  I  be  able  to  contemplate 
eternity,  with  joyful  expectation ;  knowing,  that  to  be 
absent  from  the  body  is  to  be  present  with  the  Lord. 

Moses  was  well  acquainted  with  the  insensibility  of 
the  human  heart  to  eternal  things,  when  he  prayed, 
"  So  teach  us  to  number  our  days,  that  we  may  apply 
our  hearts  unto  wisdom."  We  are  walking  every  mo- 
ment on  the  verge  of  eternity.  A  slight  accident  can 
loosen  the  cords  which  unite  soul  and  body ;  and  thus 
bring  us  instantly  into  the  world  of  spirits.  Then  why 
should  we  calculate  upon  length  of  days  ?  Why  should 
we  act  as  if  we  had  years  at  command  1  This  moment 
only  is  our  own.  So  precious  is  time,  that  Infinite 
Bounty  deals  it  out  by  seconds.  And  yet  how  prodigal 
we  are  of  time,  as  if  it  were  of  all  things  the  easiest  to 
attain,  or  its  loss  the  easiest  to  repair  !  Dying  sinners 
whose  consciences  are  awakened,  and  whose  eyes  are 
opened  to  see  their  danger,  know  the  incalculable  value 
of  time.  They  feel  every  moment  to  be  inconceivably 
precious,  if,  in  this  fleeting  remnant  of  time,  they  can 
find  the  Saviour  whom  they  have  basely  slighted,  and 
tnrough  his  pardoning  grace  be  saved  from  the  wrath 
to  come.  It  is  at  dying  beds  that  we  learn  something 
of  the  value  of  time.  The  keen  self-reproaches  of  the 
convicted  sinner  show  the  folly  of  wasting  days  and 


16  INSENSIBILITY    TO    ETERNAL    THINGS. 

hours,  which  have  a  value  beyond  the  power  of  human 
calculation. 

The  shortness  of  life  is  continually  forcing  itself  upon 
us  by  the  passing  bell,  the  funeral  procession,  and  the 
weekly  voice  of  public  prints.  Yet  its  very  common- 
ness, which  ought  to  alarm  us,  tends  only  to  lull  us 
into  a  strange  security.  This  is  observable  in  large 
towns,  where  multitudes  are  continually  summoned  into 
eternity ;  whilst  in  villages,  where  deaths  are  less  fre- 
quent, a  solemn  awe  is  usually  excited,  at  least  for  a 
time. 

Whatever  others  do,  Oh  !  may  I  think  seriously  on 
my  dying  hour.  Lord,  teach  me  so  to  number  my  days, 
that  I  may  apply  my  heart  unto  wisdom.  Enlighten 
my  understanding  to  perceive  what  things  I  ought  to 
do,  and  give  me  grace  and  power  faithfully  to  fulfill 
the  same. 

We  are  born  in  sin  ;  therefore,  to  be  happy  we  must 
be  born  again.  We  have  lived  in  sin — and  to  be  happy, 
we  must  be  delivered  from  its  reigning  power. 

As  in  this  world  there  is  no  peace  to  the  wicked,  so, 
in  the  next,  they  have  no  rest  day  nor  night ;  for  the 
smoke  of  their  torment  ascendeth  up  for  ever  and  ever. 
Oh  !  that  they  were  wise  ;  that  they  understood  this ; 
that  they  would  consider  their  latter  end. 

All  that  sleep  in  the  dust  of  the  earth  shall  awake, 
some  to  everlasting  life,  and  some  to  shame  and  ever- 
lasting contempt.  Then  they  that  be  wise  shall  shine 
as  the  brightness  of  the  firmament ;  and  they  that  turn 
many  to  righteousness,  as  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever. 

Oh  !  blessed  Lord,  sit  upon  my  heart  as  a  refiner's 
fire,  and  as  a  purifier  of  silver ;  that  the  dross  of  cor- 
ruption may  be  purged  away,  and  my  soul  prepared  for 
the  hour  of  death,  and  the  never-ending  glories  of  thy 
heavenly  kingdom. 


THE    FALL.  17 


My  soul,  on  Pisgah's  mount  ascend, 
Where  Moses  once  admiring  stood ; 

There  view  the  promised  land  extend 
Beyond  the  swelling  Jordan's  flood. 

By  faith  survey  the  landscape  o'er, 
Where  living  waters  gently  flow  ; 

Till  earth  usurp  thy  love  no  more ; 
Till  all  thy  kindling  passions  glow. 

In  that  blest  region  of  delight, 
The  saints  nor  sin  nor  sorrow  feel 

Eternal  day  excludes  the  night, 
And  all  possess  the  Spirit's  seal. 

The  ransom'd  soul,  in  glory  clad, 
Shines  brighter  than  meridian  sun  ; 

The  weary  pilgrim,  now  so  sad, 

There  finds  his  toilsome  journey  done. 

Cheer  up,  ye  saints,  oppress'd  with  grief, 
With  joy  expand  your  drooping  wing  j 

Jesus  affords  the  kind  relief; 

Jesus  extracts  the  envenom'd  sting. 

Soon  will  you  reach  the  blest  abode, 
Where  happy  pilgrims  ever  reign  ; 

Soon  shall  you  see  the  face  of  God, 
And  all  the  bliss  of  heaven  obtain. 


III. ON    THE    FALL. 


He  who  can  contemplate  the  introduction  of  moral  evil 
into  our  world  without  feelings  of  deep  humiliation,  is 
little  prepared  to  receive  with  gratitude  the  stupendous 
mystery  of  redemption. 

The  doctrine  of  the  fall,  with  all  its  direful  conse- 
quences, shines  with  awful  clearness  in   the  Book  of 

2* 


18  THE    FALL. 

God  : — "  as  by  one  man  sin  entered  into  the  world,  and 
death  by  sin :  so  death  passed  upon  all  men,  for  that  all 
have  sinned." 

The  doctrine  of  the  fall  lies  at  the  foundation  of  the 
atonement :  for  "  they  that  be  whole  need  not  a  physi- 
cian, but  they  that  are  sick."  Jesus  came  not  "  to  call 
the  righteous,  but  sinners  to  repentance."  He  came 
"  to  seek  and  to  save  that  which  was  lost" 

"  This,"  therefore,  "  is  a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy 
of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the 
world  to  save  sinners."  His  glorious  work  was  an- 
nounced to  Joseph  by  the  angel,  when  he  said,  "  His 
name  shall  be  called  Jesus,  for  he  shall  save  his  people 
from  their  sins." 

Whilst  viewing  the  once  happy  pair  after  their  awful 
fall,  we  are  constrained  to  use  the  language  of  the 
weeping  Prophet :  "  how  is  the  gold  become  dim,  how 
is  the  most  fine  gold  changed  !" 

The  sin  of  Adam  was  a  compound  of  unbelief,  pride, 
sensuality,  ingratitude,  and  rebellion. 

Unbelief;  in  giving  credence  to  the  tempter,  rather 
than  to  God.  Pride  ;  in  the  fond  desire  of  being  wise 
as  gods,  knowing  good  and  evil.  Sensuality  ;  in  lust- 
ing after  the  forbidden  fruit.  Ingratitude  ;  in  leaguing 
with  the  fallen  angels.  Rebellion ;  in  trampling  on 
the  authority  of  Jehovah. 

The  Apostle  says,  "  Adam  was  not  deceived  ;  but 
the  woman  being  deceived,  was  in  the  transgression." 

The  serpent  first  beguiled  Eve  through  his  subtlety, 
and  then  Eve  gained  an  easy  conquest  over  her  hus- 
band ;  for  it  is  recorded,  "  She  took  of  the  fruit  thereof, 
and  did  eat,  and  gave  also  unto  her  husband  with  her, 
and  he  did  eat."  By  this  act  Adam  acquiesced  in  her 
sinful  compliance  with  the  temptation,  and  became  a 
full  sharer  in  her  guilt  and  misery.     In  this  guilt  their 


THE    FALL.  19 

whole  posterity  were  likewise  involved  ;  for  it  is  written, 
"by  the  offence  of  one,  judgment  came  upon  all  men 
to  condemnation.     In  Adam  all  die." 

The  effect  of  the  fall  was  shame,  the  never-failing 
companion  of  sin.  "  They  knew  that  they  were  naked." 
The  image  of  God  was  gone.  Their  native  robe  of 
innocence  was  gone.  Their  peace  and  purity  were 
gone.  Awful  condition  !  They  were  indeed  naked, 
and  exposed  to  all  the  terrors  of  incensed  justice, 
without  a  covering  from  its  wrath. 

Another  effect  of  the  fall  was  the  darkness  of  their 
mind.  "  They  hid  themselves  from  the  presence  of  the 
Lord  God  amongst  the  trees  of  the  garden."  Amazing 
blindness  !  to  hide  themselves  from  that  Being,  whose 
eyes  are  brighter  than  ten  thousand  suns ;  who  filleth 
heaven  and  earth  with  his  presence,  and  from  whom 
no  secrets  are  hid. 

Slavish  fear  was  another  fruit  of  the  fall.  When 
God  asked  xVdam  why  he  hid  himself,  he  replied,  "  I 
was  afraid."  Ah  !  what  inward  torment  did  sin  pro- 
duce in  the  soul  of  our  first  parents  !  How  changed 
their  condition  !  They  are  now  afraid  to  look  upon 
Him  whose  presence  was  their  heaven  and  their  joy. 

Impiety  and  impenitence  were  also  the  baneful  off- 
spring of  the  fall.  When  God  charged  Adam  with 
eating  of  the  tree  whereof  he  commanded  that  he 
should  not  eat,  Adam  replied,  "  The  woman  whom 
thou  gavest  to  be  with  me,  she  gave  me  of  the  tree, 
and  I  did  eat."  Mark  the  impiety.  "The  woman 
whom  thou  gavest  to  be  with  me  ;"  thus  charging  the 
guilt  upon  the  Almighty :  as  if  he  had  said,  "  If  thou 
hadst  never  given  me  this  woman,  I  had  never  sinned 
against  thee."  Oh  !  the  impious  insult  upon  divine 
benevolence,  goodness,  and  love.  Then  mark  also  the 
impenitence  of  Adam  ;   "  she  gave  me  of  the  tree  and 


20  THE    FALL. 

I  did  eat ;"  thus  throwing  the  blame  of  his  eating  upon 
Eve ;  as  if  he  were  compelled  to  eat  because  she  pre- 
sented the  fruit  to  him ;  and  as  if  his  own  will  had  no 
part  in  it. 

We  see  here  no  conviction  of  sin — no  confession  of 
guilt — no  contrition  on  account  of  it.  The  garden  of 
Eden  exhibited  no  signs  of  penitence,  no  brokenness  of 
heart ;  nothing  but  hardness  and  obduracy.  Eve  was 
just  as  bad  as  her  husband.  She,  in  like  manner, 
endeavored  to  exculpate  herself  by  saying,  "  The  ser 
pent  beguiled  me  and  I  did  eat." 

Now  observe,  Oh  !  my  soul ;  yes,  observe  with  won- 
der, gratitude,  and  love,  the  boundless  grace  and  mercy 
of  Jehovah. 

He,  who  spared  not  the  angels  that  sinned,  pro- 
claimed a  rich  and  free  salvation  to  rebellious  man. 
The  Lord  promised  a  deliverer,  even  the  seed  of  the 
woman,  who  should  bruise  the  serpent's  head. 

In  the  fulness  of  time,  Jesus,  the  Saviour,  was  born 
of  a  pure  virgin  ;  born  to  save  his  people  from  their 
sins,  and  to  vanquish  the  powers  of  death  and  hell. 

This  precious  Jesus  is  now  preached,  through  the 
everlasting  Gospel,  to  all  the  guilty  sons  and  daughters 
of  Adam  ;  with  the  blessed  assurance,  that  all  who 
believe  in  him  shall  be  saved. 

From  this  short  view  of  man's  apostacy  and  recovery 
it  is  evident  that  man  is  the  sole  author  of  his  destruc- 
tion ;  and  that  his  salvation  is  altogether  of  free,  un- 
sought-for,  unmerited  grace. 

Through  the  fall,  man  lost  all  spiritual  power  and 
will  to  love  and  serve  God.  But  through  the  covenant 
of  grace,  he  regains  both  ;  "  for  God  worketh  in  us 
both  to  will  and  to  do  of  his  good  pleasure." 

An  attentive  perusal  of  the  third  and  fourth  chapters 
of  Genesis  will  convince  every  humble  inquirer  after 


THE    FALL.  21 

truth,  through  the  teaching  of  the  divine  Spirit,  that 
every  man  born  into  this  world  deserves  nothing  but 
everlasting  damnation ;  since  "  that  which  is  born  of 
the  flesh  is  flesh  :"  and  "flesh  and  blood  cannot  inherit 
the  kingdom  of  God."  "  Marvel  not  that  I  said  unto 
thee,  ye  must  be  born  again,"  was  the  reply  of  the 
Saviour  to  the  inquiring  Nicodemus.  The  sinner  may 
cavil  and  dispute,  but  his  own  heart  will  condemn  him. 
His  own  life  will  condemn  him.  The  law  of  God  will 
condemn  him.  The  sin  of  his  nature,  as  a  child  of 
fallen  Adam,  will  condemn  him.  He  will  find  nothing 
but  condemnation  here,  and  judgment  in  the  world  to 
come.  But  let  him  look  out  of  himself  to  the  second 
Adam,  the  Lord  from  heaven  ;  to  Jesus  Christ,  the 
promised  deliverer  ;  and  there  he  will  find  every  thing 
needful  to  repair  the  ruins  of  the  fall ;  yea,  to  raise 
him  to  a  more  glorious  state  than  if  Adam  had  never 
sinned. 

"And  what  in  yonder  realms  above 

Is  ransom'd  man  ordain'd  to  be? 
With  honour,  holiness,  and  love, 

No  seraph  more  adorn'd  than  he. 


I 


Nearest  the  throne  and  first  in  song, 

Man  shall  his  hallelujah's  raise  ; 
While  wondering  angels  round  him  throng, 

And  swell  the  chorus  of  his  praise." 

Amazing  mystery  !  Oh  wonderful  wisdom  of  God, 
in  thus  educing  such  good  out  of  such  evil ;  and  making 
that  to  redound  to  his  glory,  and  conduce  to  the  bright 
display  of  his  perfections,  which  Satan  intended  as  an 
awful  blight  on  his  new  and  fair  creation  ! 

Thus  Satan  is  foiled,  and  u  grace  reigns  through 
righteousness  unto  eternal  life  by  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord." 


22  THE    FALL. 

"  Sing,  Oh  !  ye  heavens,  for  the  Lord  hath  done  it. 
Shout,  ye  lower  parts  of  the  earth;  break  forth  into 
singing,  ye  mountains,  Oh  !  forest,  and  every  tree  there- 
in ;  for  the  Lord  hath  redeemed  Jacob,  and  glorified 
himself  in  Israel." 

Surely  none  but  fools  can  make  a  mock  at  sin. 

Sin  converted  the  angels  of  light  into  powers  of  dark- 
ness. Sin  rendered  the  happy  pair  in  Eden  wretched 
outcasts  in  a  world  of  wo.  Sin  was  the  cause  of  the 
universal  deluge,  and  the  fiery  overthrow  of  the  cities 
of  the  plain. 

Sin  has  ever  marked  its  steps  by  misery  and  blood. 
Pride,  malice,  envy,  murmuring,  uncleanness,  and  every 
abomination  hateful  to  a  holy  God,  and  destructive  to 
our  wretched  race,  spring  from  this  poisonous  root. 
Every  particle  of  sin  contains  an  infinity  of  evil,  and 
deserves  everlasting  damnation. 

But,  Oh!  my  soul,  if  thou  wouldst  view  sin  in  its 
darkest  colors  and  most  terrible  effects,  go  to  Bethle- 
hem, and  ask,  Why  did  the  King  of  heaven  become  an 
infant  of  days'?  Why  was  He  who  filleth  all  space, 
wrapped  in  swaddling  clothes  and  laid  in  a  manger  ] 
Go  to  Gethsemane,  and  ask,  Why  did  the  incarnate 
God  agonize,  and  sweat  great  drops  of  blood  1  Go  to 
the  judgment-hall,  and  ask,  Why  did  the  Sovereign 
Judge  of  men  and  angels  submit  to  be  judged  ]  Why 
did  the  innocent  suffer  such  indignities  1  Why  was  the 
guiltless  condemned  to  die  1  Go  to  Calvary,  and  ask? 
Why  did  the  Lord  of  glory  hang  on  the  accursed  tree  1 
Why  did  the  Lord  of  life  condescend  to  pour  out  his 
soul  unto  death  1  It  was  to  save  thee  from  thy  sins ; 
to  redeem  thee  from  the  curse  of  the  law,  by  being 
made  a  curse  for  thee  ;  to  deliver  thee  from  going 
down  into  hell,  by  becoming  thy  ransom  :  it  was  to 
merit  heaven  for  thee  by  his  precious  atonement  and 


THE    FALL.  23 

obedience  unto  death  ;  it  was  to  purchase  for  thee  the 
eternal  Spirit,  by  whose  powerful  aid  thou  mightest 
believe,  and  love,  and  delight  in  this  precious  Saviour, 
this  adorable  Redeemer,  this  almighty  Deliverer, 
through  whom  thy  sins  are  pardoned,  and  by  whom 
thou  hast  access  unto  God,  as  thy  reconciled  Father. 

Oh  !  my  soul,  praise  the  Lord  for  his  mercy,  and  never 
cease  to  speak  good  of  his  name. 

Let  this  view  of  sin,  and  of  a  sin-bearing  Saviour, 
humble  thee  in  his  presence  ;  and  empty  thee  of  all 
pride  and  vain  glory.  Let  it,  at  the  same  time,  fill  thee 
with  gratitude  to  God,  for  having  provided  such  a  rem- 
edy against  the  evils  of  the  fall. 

Sin,  even  thy  sin,  nailed,  pierced,  and  agonized  the 
Lord  of  glory  !  Oh  !  then,  hate  sin,  and  avoid  it  as  thou 
wouldst  tremble  to  plunge  a  spear  into  thy  Saviour's 
bosom  ;  as  thou  wouldst  shudder  to  trample  under  foot 
his  sacred  blood.  "  The  wages  of  sin  is  death."  But 
Oh  !  rejoice  in  this  gracious  declaration,  "  The  gift  of 
God  is  eternal  life,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord." 

And  what  is  sin  1  "  Sin  is  the  transgression  of  the 
law."  "All  unrighteousness  is  sin."  Sin  is  enmity 
against  God  ;  an  inveterate  opposition  to  the  gospel 
method  of  salvation  ;  a  preference  of  our  own  will  and 
the  enjoyment  of  the  creature,  to  the  will  and  favor  of 
the  Creator.  As  sin  crucified  the  Son  of  God,  so  it 
hates  and  persecutes  him  in  all  his  faithful  people. 
Sin  is  a  daring  rebellion  against  the  Majesty  of  heaven, 
and  would  if  it  were  possible,  pluck  the  Eternal  from 
his  throne.  The  proud  sinner  presumptuously  asks, 
"  Wno  is  the  Lord,  that  I  should  obey  him  !" — and 
"  the  fool  hath  said  in  his  heart,  There  is  no  God." 

Oh  !  my  soul,  and  is  this  hideous  evil  the  inmate  of 
thy  heart  1  Canst  thou  cherish  such  a  serpent  in  thy 
bosom  ?      Lord,    I    tremble   at   the   thought.     Blessed 


24  THE    PROHIBITION    IN    PARADISE. 

Jesus,  turn  out  thine  enemy — my  sin,  and  make  me 
wholly  thine  ;  the  purchase  of  thy  blood,  the  trophy  of 
thy  grace,  the  monument  of  thy  mercy,  a  living  temple 
consecrated  to  thy  praise. 

Why  is  my  heart  so  prone  to  leave 

A  God  of  mercy  and  of  love  ? 
Why  dare  the  Holy  Spirit  grieve  ? 

Why  far  from  Christ  and  heaven  remove  ? 

Lord,  'tis  the  fruit  of  Adam's  sin, 

The  awful  taint  which  nature  bears  j — 

Create  me  all  anew  within  ; 

Dissolve  my  flinty  heart  to  tears. 

To  thee  I  look,  my  only  Lord ; 

On  thee,  my  trembling  soul  depends ; 
Blest  Saviour !  speak  the  healing  word ; 

Thy  pard'ning  mercy  never  ends. 

Then  will  my  heart  o'erflow  with  joy, 

My  life  proclaim  its  grateful  praise, 
Till  safe  in  bliss,  without  alloy, 

My  soul  shall  chant  celestial  lays. 


IV. ON    THE    PROHIBITION    IN    PARADISE. 

Much  of  the  beauty  of  Scripture  is  lost  to  us  for  want 
of  spiritual  discernment.  The  ways  of  God  appear  dark, 
in  proportion  to  the  thick  film  which  rests  upon  our 
understanding. 

The  view  which  the  Rev.  Hartwell  Home  has  given 
of  the  prohibition  in  paradise,  in  a  note  in  the  first  vol- 
of  his  "  Introduction  to  the  Critical  Study  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures,"  is  very  important.  He  says  "that  the  par- 
ticular injunction  given  to  our  first  parents  not  to  eat  of 


THE    PROHIBITION    IN    PARADISE.  25 

the  fruit  of  a  particular  tree,  has  been  a  favorite  subject 
of  sneer  and  cavil  with  the  opposers  of  revelation."  It 
is  awful  to  reflect,  how  weak,  polluted  worms  of  earth 
dare  to  charge  the  infinite  wisdom  of  Jehovah  with  folly. 
Surely  we  must  say  with  the  Psalmist,  "  God  is  strong 
and  patient" — and  God  is  provoked  every  day. 

The  following  considerations  show  at  once  the  reason- 
ableness, holiness,  and  goodness  of  the  law  of  paradise. 

1.  As  God  had  made  man  the  governor  of  this  lower 
world,  and  crowned  him  with  so  many  mercies,  "it  was 
manifestly  proper  that  he  should  require  some  particular 
instance  of  homage  and  fealty,  to  be  a  memorial  to  man 
of  his  dependance,  and  an  acknowledgment  on  his  part, 
that  he  was  under  the  dominion  of  a  higher  Lord,  to 
whom  he  owed  absolute  subjection  and  obedience. 

2.  "What  instance  of  homage  could  be  more  proper, 
circumstanced  as  man  then  was,  than  his  being  obliged, 
in  obedience  to  the  divine  command,  to  abstain  from 
one  or  more  of  the  fruits  of  paradise  1 

3.  "It  pleased  God  to  insist  only  upon  his  abstaining 
from  one;  at  the  same  time  that  he  indulged  him  in 
full  liberty  as  to  the  rest." 

4.  This  easy  and  reasonable  prohibition  "served  both 
as  an  act  of  homage  to  the  supreme  Lord  from  whose 
bountiful  grant  he  held  paradise,  and  all  its  enjoy- 
ments ;  and  was  also  fitted  to  teach  our  first  parents 
a  noble  and  useful  lesson  of  abstinence  and  self-denial ; 
one  of  the  most  necessary  lessons  in  a  state  of  proba- 
tion ;  and  also  of  unreserved  submission  to  the  authority 
and  will  of  God  ;  and  an  implicit  resignation  to  his  su- 
preme wisdom  and  goodness." 

5.  This  test  of  their  obedience,  from  the  nature  of  it, 
"  tended  to  habituate  them  to  keep  their  sensitive  ap- 
petites in  subjection  to  the  law  of  reason  ;  to  take  them 
off  from  too  close   an  attachment  to  inferior  sensible 

3 


26  THE    PROHIBITION    IN    PARADISE, 

good  ;   and  engage  them  to  place  their  highest  happi- 
ness in  God  alone." 

6.  This  injunction  not  to  eat  of  the  fruit  of  the  tree 
of  knowledge  of  good  and  evil,  would  also  tend,  "to 
keep  their  desires  after  knowledge  within  just  bounds, 
so  as  to  be  content  with  knowing  what  was  really 
proper  and  useful  for  them  to  know ;  and  not  presume 
to  pry  with  an  unwarrantable  curiosity  into  things 
which  belong  not  to  them,  and  which  God  has  not 
thought  fit  to  reveal." 

Now  who  can  seriously  meditate  upon  these  valuable 
considerations,  without  being  affected  at  the  goodness 
of  God  in  commanding,  and  at  the  baseness  of  man  in 
transgressing,  such  a  reasonable  test  of  his  obedience  1 

This  law  was  truly  a  law  of  love  ;  and  the  breach  of 
it  was  the  highest  instance  of  ingratitude  and  rebellion. 

How  inconceivably  great  is  the  grace  of  God,  that  at 
the  very  time  when  he  came  down  to  pronounce  the 
sentence  of  death  upon  his  offending  creatures,  he 
should  reveal,  by  promise,  an  Almighty  Saviour,  even^ 
himself,  who  should  destroy  the  power  of  darkness, 
finish  transgression,  make  an  end  of  sin,  bring  in  ever- 
lasting righteousness,  and  form  a  people  to  show  forth 
his  praise  ! 

If  we  examine  attentively  the  foregoing  consider- 
ations, we  shall  find  that  nothing  was  imposed  upon 
Adam,  that  we  are  not  now  commanded  to  perform, 
with  respect  to  the  spiritual  part  of  the  injuction. 

We  must  love  God  supremely — acknowledge  our  de- 
pendance  upon  him — seek  our  whole  happiness  in  him 
— delight  in  his  law — be  resigned  to  his  will — keep  our 
sensitive  appetites  in  subjection — and  check  all  unhal- 
lowed curiosity  into  the  ways  and  wisely  hidden  things 
of  God. 

Every  deviation  from  this  state  of  heart  and  practice 


THE    PROHIBITION    IN    PARADISE.  27 

is  a  deviation  from  the  holy  law  of  God;  and  as  a  neces- 
sary consequence  entails  guilt  and  misery  upon  us.  Thus 
we  see,  that  happiness  is  inseparable  from  obedience. 
We  learn  from  hence,  that  misery  and  wretchedness  do 
not  depend  upon  our  station,  but  on  the  state  of  our  souls. 

Adam  in  paradise  was  happy,  whilst  innocent. 

Adam  in  paradise  was  miserable,  when  guilty. 

The  law  delivered  on  Mount  Sinai  is  a  standing 
revelation  of  the  holiness  of  God  ;  and  the  various  pre- 
cepts of  the  Gospel  are  all  in  consonance  with  these 
pure  and  undefiled  commandments.  Both  the  injunc- 
tions of  the  moral  law,  and  the  precepts  of  the  Gospel, 
were  virtually  included  in  the  original  law  given  to  our 
first  parents  in  paradise,  thus  forming  a  chain  of  holi- 
ness from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  time. 

It  resembles  a  beautiful  flower,  of  which  the  bud  is 
seen  in  Eden,  the  expanding  leaves  on  Mount  Sinai, 
and  its  glowing  beauties  in  ImmanuePs  land. 

Heaven  is  its  native  soil.  There  shall  all  the  trees 
of  righteousness  be  finally  transplanted  ;  and  there 
shall  the  lovely  flowers  of  paradise  expand  their  beau- 
ties, and  spread  their  fragrance  fed  by  perpetual  dews 
of  heavenly  grace,  and  screened  for  ever  from  the  blast- 
ing pestilence  of  this  sinful  world. 

Oh  bless'd  Redeeemer,  Lord  divine ! 
With  beams  of  mercy  on  me  shine ; 
Till  every  thought  and  word  agree, 
Till  every  work  be  done  for  thee. 

What  is  the  world  but  grief  and  care  ? 
What  heaven,  if  thou  be  absent  there? 
Thy  glorious  face  illumes  the  sky, 
And  sheds  ecstatic  joys  on  high. 

Thy  love,  with  beams  of  heavenly  grace, 
Gladdens  our  guilty,  fallen  race  ; 
In  Sharon's  lovely,  blusliing  rose, 
Thou  deign'st  thy  beauties  to  disclose. 


28  UNBELIEF. 

Terrestrial  roses  fade  and  die, 
As  the  bright  tints  of  evening  sky  ; 
This  knows  nor  winter,  nor  decay, 
But  blooms  in  everlasting  day. 

Oh !  blessed  Spirit,  to  my  heart 
This  dear  celestial  flower  impart ; 
With  joy  I'll  prize  the  Saviour  here, 
Then  go  to  heaven  and  view  him  there. 


V. ON    UNBELIEF. 


Unbelief  is  a  sin  of  much  greater  extent  than  is 
generally  imagined. 

Some  persons  confine  the  sin  of  unbelief  to  Jews,  Ma- 
homedans,  and  Pagans  ;  to  atheists,  deists,  and  sceptics. 

They  deem  it  a  breach  of  charity  to  charge  this 
moral  evil  upon  those  who  profess  to  believe  the  Gospel 
to  be  a  revelation  from  God  ;  and  who  exhibit  in  their 
outward  character,  the  amiable  virtues  of  benevolence, 
kindness,  and  compassion. 

But  if  we  bring  what  the  world  denominates  faith  to 
the  test  of  Scripture,  and  try  its  genuineness  by  the 
touchstone  of  the  word  of  God,  we  shall  soon  discover 
it  to  be  "  reprobate  silver."  This  counterfeit  coin  bears 
some  rude  outlines  of  the  King's  image  ;  but  it  is  so 
badly  executed,  that  it  may  be  easily  detected  by  a 
spiritual  discerner. 

True  faith  is  lively,  operative,  and  fruitful. 

True  faith  works  by  love,  that  sacred  spring  which 
sets  all  the  wheels  of  obedience  in  motion. 

True  faith  purifies  the  heart,  by  uniting  the  soul  to 
Jesus,  and  drawing  from  him  through  the  Spirit,  con- 
tinual supplies  of  grace  and  strength,  to  mortify  sin, 
and  walk  in  the  ways  of  holy  obedience. 

True  faith  overcomes  the  world,  by  raising  the  be- 


UNBELIEF.  29 

liever  above  its  vanities  and  follies ;  by  enabling  him 
to  renounce  its  pomps  and  honors  ;  and  to  live  as  a 
pilgrim  and  stranger  upon  earth. 

True  faith  realizes  the  invisible  glories  of  heaven, 
and  thus  becomes  the  substance  of  things  hoped  for, 
the  evidence  of  things  not  seen. 

But  how  does  the  world's  faith  operate  1  It  leads 
men  to  the  house  of  God  on  the  sabbath  ;  and  then 
suffers  them  to  attend  theatres,  and  gayeties  of  every 
description  through  the  week. 

It  induces  them  to  attend  the  Lord's  table  on  some 
great  festival  of  the  church,  and  then  lulls  their  con- 
sciences to  sleep  by  the  assurance  that  they  have  done 
"some  great  thing"  towards  liquidating  the  contracted 
debt  of  daily  transgression. 

It  prompts  them,  it  may  be,  to  read  their  Bibles  on 
the  sabbath,  and  then  to  close  the  sacred  volume  till  the 
sabbath  returns  again. 

The  faith  of  the  nominally  Christian  world,  bad  as  it 
is,  is  nevertheless  valuable  to  civil  society  ;  inasmuch 
as  it  restrains  men  in  some  degree  from  .the  licentious 
and  savage  practices  of  heathen  nations,  and  preserves 
some  portion  of  external  decency  and  respect  for  reli- 
gion amongst  us.  But  it  has  nothing  saving  in  it, 
because  it  has  no  respect  to  the  will  and  favor  of  God. 
This  profession  of  faith  is  consistent  with  worldly  am- 
bition, pride,  lust,  avarice,  hatred  of  God,  and  enmity 
to  the  Gospel.  These  evils  abound  in  the  lives  of  mul- 
titudes, with  whose  praises  the  world  resounds. 

Look  at  the  great  mass  of  our  population,  all  of  whom 
profess  to  be  Christians.  And  what  is  the  character  of 
their  life  and  conduct?  Who  fill  the  theatres'?  who 
resort  to  houses  of  debauchery?  who  tread  the  giddy 
circles  of  maddening  pleasure  1  who  compose  the  mid- 
night revel,  and  loose  their  reason  amid  the  fumes  of 

3* 


SO  UNBELIEF. 

intoxication  1  who  defraud  and  circumvent  their  neigh- 
bors 1  who  defile  their  conversation  by  obscenity  and 
oaths  1  who  spend  their  time,  when  worldly  business 
releases  them  from  labor,  in  idle  indulgences  or  active 
wickedness  1  The  nominal  professors  of  Christianity  ; 
men  who  would  be  highly  offended  if  you  ranked  them 
amongst  the  degraded  idolaters  of  the  heathen  world — 
men,  who  pride  themselves  upon  their  elevated  scale  in 
society,  and  who  glory  in  the  name  of  Christian.  Yet 
these  pretended  admirers  of  Christianity  abhor  the  spirit 
of  the  religion  which  they  profess.  They  scruple  not 
to  charge  the  humble  followers  of  Jesus,  who  "  run  not 
with  them  to  the  same  excess  of  riot,"  with  hypocrisy, 
enthusiasm  and  fanaticism.  They  regard  them  with  a 
sneer  of  contemptuous  scorn  ;  and  delight  to  make  them 
the  sportive  subject  of  their  bacchanalian  carousals. 

Many  of  these  enemies  of  the  cross  of  Christ  are  loaded 
with  the  common  bounties  of  an  indulgent  providence. 

"They  lie  upon  beds  of  ivory,  and  stretch  themselves 
upon  their  couches,  and  eat  the  lambs  out  of  the  flock, 
and  the  calves  out  of  the  midst  of  the  stall ;  they  chant 
to  the  sound  of  the  viol,  and  invent  to  themselves  in- 
struments of  music  like  David ;  they  drink  wine  in 
bowls,  and  anoint  themselves  with  the  chief  ointment : 
but  they  are  not  grieved  for  the  affliction  of  Joseph  ;" 
the  poor  of  Christ's  flock  are  suffered  to  perish  around 
them,  unheeded  and  despised  ! 

But  oh  !  what  an  awful  change  ensues,  when  death 
strikes  the  fatal  blow  !  Instead  of  beds  of  ivory  and 
couches  of  luxurious  ease,  they  lie  down  on  the  lake 
that  burnetii  with  fire  and  brimstone.  Instead  of  bac- 
chanalian songs  and  the  melody  of  sweet  music,  they 
hear  and  join  in  the  dreadful  concert,  composed  of 
weeping  and  wailing  and  gnashing  of  teeth  !  Instead 
pf  the  delicious  wine  poured  with  profusion  into  their 


UNBELIEF.  31 

golden  bowls,  they  crave  in  vain  for  a  drop  of  water  to 
cool  their  flaming  tongues.  Instead  of  continuing  their 
laugh  of  ridicule  at  the  once  despised  follower  of  Jesus, 
"  they,  repenting  and  groaning  for  anguish  of  spirit, 
are  amazed  at  the  strangeness  of  his  salvation,  so  far 
beyond  all  that  they  looked  for  ;"  and  exclaim,  "  this 
was  he,  whom  we  had  sometime  in  derision  and  a  pro- 
verb of  reproach.  We  fools  accounted  his  life  madness, 
and  his  end  to  be  without  honor  ;  how  is  he  numbered 
among  the  children  of  God,  and  his  lot  is  among  the 
saints  !  Therefore  have  we  erred  from  the  way  of 
truth,  and  the  light  of  righteousness  hath  not  shined 
unto  us,  and  the  Sun  of  righteousness  rose  not  upon  us. 
We  wearied  ourselves  in  the  way  of  wickedness  and 
destruction  ;  yea,  we  have  gone  through  desert  places 
where  there  lay  no  way,  but  as  for  the  way  of  the  Lord 
we  have  not  known  it.  What  hath  pride  profited  us  1 
or  what  good  hath  riches  with  our  vaunting  brought 
us  ?  All  those  things  are  passed  away  like  a  shadow, 
and  as  a  post  that  hasteth  by."  Oh  !  that  men  were 
wise  ;  that  they  understood  this,  that  they  would  con- 
sider their  latter  end  ! 

Unbelief  manifests  itself  in  characters  of  another  class. 

Many  nominal  professors  of  Christianity  are  of  a 
sweet,  amiable  disposition  ;  temperate  in  their  enjoy- 
ments, and  benevolent  to  their  poor  neighbors.  They 
are  ready  to  promote  objects  of  general  usefulness,  and 
pride  themselves  upon  their  integrity  of  principle  and 
strict  propriety  of  action. 

But  how  does  their  faith  operate  1  Does  it  wean 
their  affections  from  the  world  1  Does  it  make  Jesus 
daily  more  precious  to  their  souls  1  Does  it  break 
them  off  from  all  self-righteous  dependance  ]  Does  it 
produce  real  contrition  for  sin ;  and  continual  application 
to  the  Fountain  opened  for  sin  and  for  uncleanness  1 


32  UNBELIEF 

Alas  !  they  know  little,  and  they  feel  less,  of  all  this. 
They  had  never  seen  their  absolute  guilt  and  wretch- 
edness as  the  offspring  of  fallen  Adam  ;  and  therefore 
they  feel  not  their  need  of  a  crucified  Jesus,  to  save 
them  from  the  curse  and  dominion  of  sin. 

They  profess  indeed  to  believe  in  the  Gospel  ;  but 
they  come  to  it  as  "  they  who  are  whole."  Their  lan- 
guage is  that  of  the  young  ruler,  "  What  lack  I  yet  V9 
Hence  they  deem  all  experimental  religion,  all  warm 
affections  to  the  Saviour,  all  renunciation  of  worldly 
pleasures  which  are  incompatible  with  the  pure  spirit 
of  the  gospel,  as  carrying  matters  too  far  ;  as  being 
righteous  over  much.  They  wish  to  possess  both 
worlds  ;  to  taste  the  joys  of  earth — and  the  bliss  of 
heaven.  But  eternal  truth  hath  said,  "  ye  cannot 
serve  God  and  mammon."  Such  profession  of  faith 
must  therefore  lead  to  the  chambers  of  death  ;  for  "  if 
any  man  hath  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none  of 
his."  And  Christ  hath  declared  of  all  his  true  disci- 
ples :  "  ye  are  not  of  the  world,  even  as  I  am  not  of  the 
world." 

It  is  also  a  melancholy  truth,  that  unbelief  is  not 
wholly  eradicated  from  the  hearts  of  believers.  If  it 
were,  there  would  have  been  no  need  for  this  caution : 
"  Take  heed,  brethren,  lest  there  be  in  any  of  you  an 
evil  heart  of  unbelief  in  departing  from  the  living  God." 
And  again:  speaking  of  the  Israelites  in  the  wilderness, 
St.  Paul  says,  "  So  we  see  that  they  could  not  enter  in 
because  of  unbelief."  And  then  he  adds  this  solemn 
warning :  "  Let  us  therefore  fear,  lest,  a  promise  being 
left  us  of  entering  into  his  rest,  any  of  you  should  seem 
to  come  short  of  it." 

Those  who  are  in  the  habit  of  observing  the  secret 
movement  of  their  own  spirit,  will  soon  perceive  how 
this  subtile  evil  lies  at  the  bottom  of  all  their  languor 


UNBELIEF.  33 

in  devotion  :  their  inertness  of  duty ;  their  dulness  in 
spiritual  perception,  and  their  declensions  from  the 
ways  of  God. 

This  acquaintance  with  our  own  heart  will  lead  us 
to  the  continued  exercise  of  watchfulness  and  prayer, 
through  the  gracious  influence  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

A  consciousness  of  inbred  sin  will  cause  us  to  distrust 
ourselves,  to  look  continually  unto  Jesus,  and  have  no 
confidence  in  the  flesh.  This  salutary  fear,  implanted 
in  the  heart  through  the  covenant  love  of  God,  alone 
can  keep  us  from  falling.  We  shall  walk  over  the  slip- 
pery paths  of  this  sinful  world  with  safety,  when  we 
tread  with  cautious  step,  "  leaning  upon  our  beloved." 

This  knowledge  of  our  corruption,  when  taught  by 
the  spirit  of  truth,  in  connexion  with  the  remedy  pro- 
vided to  remove  it,  even  the  atoning  blood  of  Jesus, 
causes  the  soul  who  receives  it,  to  sink  deep  in  self- 
abasement  ;  to  rise  high  in  heavenly  affections ;  to 
renounce  the  vanities  of  the  world  ;  and  to  grow  in 
a  daily  meetness  for  the  inheritence  of  the  saints  in 
light. 

How  extensive,  then,  is  the  evil  of  unbelief.  It 
blights  the  whole  moral  creation  of  God,  producing 
sterility  in  every  heart  unrenewed  by  sovereign  grace  ; 
whilst  it  sheds  its  baneful  influence  even  over  the  trees 
of  righteousness  which  stand  in  the  garden  of  the  Lord. 

Just  in  proportion  as  its  influence  is  felt  in  the  people 
of  God,  it  operates  like  the  chilling  blast  in  the  vine- 
yard. The  blossom  is  injured — the  fruit  is  checked — 
yea,  too  often  withered. 

To  this  root  of  bitterness  may  be  traced  all  the  wick- 
edness of  the  world  ;  all  the  evils  which  have  abounded, 
and  do  abound  in  the  visible  church  of  Christ ;  all  the 
declensions  and  falls  which  have  unhappily  stained  the 
lives  of  many,  who,  by  their  deep    repentance,  have 


34  UNBELIEF. 

proved  themselves  to  be  amongst  the  redeemed  of  the 
Lord. 

Blessed  Saviour  !  thou  who  earnest  down  from  the 
throne  of  glory  to  die  for  poor  perishing  sinners,  save 
me  from  the  deadly  sin  of  unbelief.  Oh !  give  me 
faith  in  thy  precious  blood.  Enable  me  to  rely  upon 
thee  with  the  simplicity  of  a  little  child. 

On  thee  may  I  repose  my  soul,  for  thou  didst  bear 
my  sins  in  thine  own  body  on  the  tree.  Lord  save  me 
from  self-righteousness  ;  from  the  love  of  the  world  ; 
from  pride  of  heart ;  from  fleshly  indulgence.  Keep 
me  near  to  thyself.  Wash  me  daily  in  thy  cleansing 
blood  from  every  contracted  defilement.  Clothe  me 
with  the  robe  of  righteousness,  with  the  garment  of 
salvation.  Cause  me  to  rejoice  in  thee  ;  to  live  in  the 
light  of  thy  countenance  ;  to  taste  that  thou  art  gra- 
cious ;  and  to  glorify  thee  by  a  growing  conformity  to 
thy  mind  and  will. 

In  the  hour  of  death  and  danger, 

When  the  angry  storms  impend ; 
Wo  to  thee  thou  wilful  stranger 

To  the  great  Almighty  Friend. 

In  the  days  of  ease  and  pleasure, 

When  thy  sun  unclouded  shone, 
Every  folly  was  thy  treasure, 

And  usurp'd  thy  heart  alone. 

Jesus  Christ  was  disregarded, 

Love  and  mercy  smil'd  in  vain ; 
Vengeance  threaten'd — wrath  retarded — 

Nothing  did  thy  lust  restrain. 

But  behold !  He  now  arises, 

Clad  with  frowns  and  arm'd  with  wo, 
He  thy  guilty  soul  surprises  ; 

Where,  ah !  whither  wilt  thou  go  ? 


DEPRAVITY    OF    THE    HEART.  35 

Earth,  with  all  its  gilded  treasures, 

Cannot  yield  a  moment's  ease  ; 
Folly,  with  her  wanton  pleasures, 

Now  has  lost  her  power  to  please. 

Swelling  streams  of  guilt  surround  thee, 

Like  an  overwhelming  flood  ; 
Ah  !  poor  sinner,  haste  and  turn  thee 

To  a  Saviour's  cleansing  blood ! 

See  his  agonizing  features  ; 

See  his  pains  endur'd  for  thee  ; 
See  him  bleed  for  rebel  creatures, 

Groaning  on  the  accursed  tree. 

Still  perhaps  he  may  be  gracious  ; 

Still  his  mercy  may  forgive  ; 
Like  the  heaven  so  vast  and  spacious, 

Is  the  love  which  bids  thee  live. 


VI. ON  THE  TOTAL  DEPRAVITY  OF  THE  HEART. 

The  corruption  of  the  human  race  after  the  fall,  was 
radical  and  universal.  "  God  saw  that  the  wickedness 
of  man  was  great  in  the  earth,  and  that  every  imagina- 
tion of  the  thoughts  of  his  heart  was  only  evil  contin- 
ually ;"     Gen.  vi,  5. 

It  would  seem  surprising,  that  any  one  should  read 
this  passage  in  the  Bible,  and  yet  deny  the  doctrine  of 
human  depravity,  did  we  not  know  the  natural  blind- 
ness of  the  understanding  by  reason  of  sin. 

A  painful  truth  is  however  plainly  stated ;  that  the 
heart  of  man  is  evil.  And  that  this  solemn  truth  may 
be  placed  in  the  strongest  light,  it  is  further  added  ; 
that  not  only  the  thoughts,  but  the  imaginations  of  the 
thoughts  of  his  heart  are  evil. 


36  DEPRAVITY    OP    THE    HEART. 

By  this  declaration  we  learn  how  the  fall  has  cor- 
rupted all  the  secret  workings  of  the  human  mind ; 
since  the  very  outline  or  rude  sketch  of  the  thoughts  is 
polluted. 

If  the  fountain  be  thus  poisoned,  can  we  wonder  at 
those  deadly  streams  which  issue  from  it  1 

All  who  know  themselves,  through  the  teaching  of 
the  divine  Spirit,  can  testify  to  the  truth  of  this  Scrip- 
ture from  their  own  experience  :  "  The  heart  knows  its 
own  bitterness." 

Oh  !  that  sovereign  grace  may  cast  down  every 
proud  and  sinful  imagination  which  is  contrary  to  the 
holy  law  of  God,  and  bring  every  thought  into  captivity 
to  the  obedience  of  Christ. 

Some,  contending  for  a  portion  of  natural  goodness, 
may  perhaps  say — True,  the  imagination  is  often  denied ; 
but  must  we  acknowledge  no  remainders  of  virtue  ? — 
What  saith  the  Scripture  1  "  every  imagination  of  the 
thoughts  of  man's  heart  is  evil." 

Allowing  that  this  is  true,  yet  may  there  not  be  some 
mixture  of  good  with  the  evil  1 — What  saith  the  Scrip- 
ture 1  "  every  imagination  of  the  thoughts  of  man's 
heart  is  only  evil." 

Admitting  this,  yet  may  there  not  be  some  intervals 
of  goodness  ? — What  saith  the  Scripture  ?  "  every  ima- 
gination of  the  thoughts  of  man's  heart  is  only  evil 
continually" 

If  this  be  indeed  the  state  of  man's  heart,  yet  may 
not  the  innocent  season  of  youth  be  an  exemption  from 
this  awful  charge  1 — What  saith  the  Scripture?  "the 
imagination  of  man's  heart  is  evil  from  his  youth  :"  Gen. 
vhi,  21.  "The  wicked  are  estranged  from  the  womb; 
they  go  astray  as  soon  as  they  are  born,  speaking  lies :" 
Ps.  lviii,  3.  "  Foolishness  is  bound  in  the  heart  of  a 
child:"   Prov.  xxii,  15.     "Childhood   and  youth   are 


DEPRAVITY    OP    THE    HEART.  37 

vanity  :"  Eccles.  xi,  10.  And,  as  if  determined  to  abase 
the  pride  of  fallen  man,  and  to  place  the  doctrine  of 
original  sin  beyond  dispute  ;  David,  speaking  under  the 
influence  of  the  Spirit  of  truth,  declares,  "  I  was  shapen 
in  iniquity,  and  in  sin  did  my  mother  conceive  me  :" 
Ps.  li,  5. 

Very  many  apposite  and  important  passages  might 
be  adduced,  all  of  which  attest  this  solemn  truth  of 
original  sin.  "Who  can  bring  a  clean  thing  out  of  an 
unclean  1  not  one  :"  Job  xiv,  4.  "What  is  man  that  he 
should  be  clean  ;  and  he  which  is  born  of  a  woman 
that  he  should  be  righteous'?"  Job  xv,  14.  "How 
can  he  be  clean  that  is  born  of  a  woman  1"    Job  xxv,  4. 

Hence  we  conclude,  with  divine  inspiration,  that  we 
are  "  by  nature  the  children  of  wrath  :"  Ephes,  ii,  3  ; 
"that  there  is  none  righteous,  no  not  one  :"   Rom.  iii,  10. 

Oh  !  my  soul,  cavil  not  with  thy  justly  offended 
Creator,  but  confess  thy  guilt,  both  original  and  actual. 
Seek  for  grace  to  lie  low  at  his  feet ;  and  to  accept 
with  joyful  heart  those  gracious  offers  of  pardon  and 
peace,  which  are  so  freely  made  to  thee,  through  the 
great  propitiatory  sacrifice  of  his  well-beloved  Son. 

The  grace  of  God  when  viewed,  as  it  always  ought 
to  be,  in  connexion  with  the  wretched  state  of  sinful 
man,  shines  like  the  beautious  rainbow  on  the  darkened 
cloud.  Its  lovely  hues  cheer  and  delight  the  mind  in 
the  midst  of  surrounding  gloom. 

How  consoling  to  a  soul  bowed  down  under  a  sense 
of  guilt,  are  the  following  promises:  "When  I  passed 
by  thee,  and  saw  thee  polluted  in  thine  own  blood,  I 
said  unto  thee,  live  ;  yea  I  said  unto  thee,  when  thou 
wast  in  thy  blood,  live  :"  Ez.  xvi,  6. 

Then  comes  the  source  of  this  mercy ; — I  have  loved 
thee  with  an  everlasting  love,  therefore  with  loving-kind- 
ness have  I  drawn  thee  :"  Jer.  xxxi,  3. 

4 


38  DEPRAVITY    OF    THE    HEART, 

But  how  can  a  polluted  creature  be  pleasing1  to  a 
pure  and  holy  God]  Behold  the  effects  of  sovereign 
grace  :  "  I  will  sprinkle  clean  water  upon  you,  and  ye 
shall  be  clean  ;  from  all  your  filthiness  and  from  all 
your  idols  will  I  cleanse  you ;  a  new  heart  will  I  give 
you,  and  a  new  spirit  will  I  put  within  you,  and  I  wilt 
take  away  the  stony  heart  out  of  your  flesh,  and  I  will 
give  you  a  heart  of  flesh  ;  and  I  will  put  my  Spirit 
within  you,  and  cause  you  to  walk  in  my  statues,  and 
ye  shall  keep  my  judgments  and  do  them  :"  Ez.  xxxvi, 
25  to  27. 

The  safety  and  perseverance  of  the  redeemed  is 
sweetly  declared  in  the  following  delightful  promise  : 
"  I  will  give  them  one  heart,  and  one  way,  that  they 
may  fear  me  for  ever,  for  the  good  of  them,  and  of  their 
children  after  them.  And  I  will  make  an  everlasting 
covenant  with  them  ;  that  I  will  not  turn  away  from  them 
to  do  them  good ;  but  I  will  put  my  fear  in  their  hearts, 
that  they  shall  not  depart  from  me  :"  Jer.  xxxii,  39,  49. 

Support  and  final  success  are  also  promised  to  the 
believer  under  all  the  various  trials  and  difficulties 
which  he  may  be  called  upon  to  endure  in  the  cause 
of  his  covenant  God  and  Saviour.  "Fear  not,  for  I  am 
with  thee  ;  be  not  dismayed,  for  I  am  thy  God  :  I  will 
strengthen  thee ;  yea,  I  will  help  thee  ;  yea,  I  will 
uphold  thee,  with  the  right  hand  of  my  righteousnes  :" 
Is.  xli,  10.  "When  thou  passest  through  the  waters,  I 
will  be  with  thee  :  and  through  the  rivers,  they  shall 
not  overflow  thee  :  when  thou  walkest  through  the  fire, 
thou  shalt  not  be  burnt ;  neither  shall  the  flame  kindle 
upon  thee  :  for  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  the  holy  one  of 
Israel,  thy  Saviour  :"  Is.  xliii,  2,  3. 

For  the  present  and  everlasting  consolation  of  the 
believer,  a  full  and  free  forgiveness  of  all  sin  is  gra- 
ciously declared :  "I  ev£n  I,  am  he  that  blotteth  out 


DEPRAVITY    OF    THE    HEART.  39 

thy  transgressions  for  mine  own  sake,  and  will  not  re- 
member thy  sins  :"  Isa.  xliii,  25.  "  I  have  blotted  out, 
as  a  thick  cloud,  thy  transgressions,  and  as  a  cloud  thy 
sins :  return  unto  me,  for  I  have  redeemed  thee  :"  Isa. 
xliv.  22.  "  Israel  shall  be  saved  in  the  Lord  with  an 
everlasting  salvation  ;  ye  shall  not  be  ashamed  nor 
confounded,  world  without  end:"   Isa.  xlv.  17. 

Well  may  the  ransomed  sinner  exclaim  :  "  Oh,  Lord  ! 
I  will  praise  thee  :  though  thou  wast  angry  with  me, 
thine  anger  is  turned  away  and  thou  comfortest  me. 
Behold,  God  is  my  salvation  ;  I  will  trust  and  not  be 
afraid ;  for  the  Lord  Jehovah  is  my  strength  and  my 
song  ;  he  also  is  become  my  salvation  :"  Isa.  xii.  1,  2. 
"  I  will  extol  thee,  my  God,  Oh,  King !  and  I  will 
bless  thy  name  for  ever  and  ever.  Every  day  will  I 
bless  thee,  and  I  will  praise  thy  name  for  ever  and 
ever:"  Ps.  cxlv.  1. 

"  Bless  the  Lord,  Oh,  my  soul  !  and  all  that  is 
within  me  bless  his  holy  name.  Bless  the  Lord,  Oh, 
my  soul!  and  forget  not  all  his  benefits:  who  forgiveth 
all  thine  iniquities  ;  who  healeth  all  thy  diseases ;  who 
redeemeth  thy  life  from  destruction  ;  who  crovvneth 
thee  with  loving-kindness  and  tender  mercies  :"  Ps. 
ciii.  1  to  4. 

Blessed  be  the  Lord  God,  the  God  of  Israel,  who  only 
doeth  wondrous  things.  And  blessed  be  his  glorious 
name  for  ever.  And  let  the  whole  earth  be  filled  with 
his  glory.     Amen  and  Amen. 

When  I  survey  the  human  race, 
And  sin's  deceitful  windings  trace, 
Lord,  what  is  man,  amazed  I  cry, 
That  thou  for  him  shouldst  deign  to  die ! 

How  vast  the  love  that  brought  thee  down, 
To  take  affliction's  thorny  crown, 
'Midst  scoffs,  the  gorgeous  robe  to  wear; 
'Midst  sneers,  the  sceptred  reed  to  bear. 


40  DECEITFULNESS    OF    THE    HEART. 

Yet  with  this  crown  and  purple  robe  ; 
Thy  kingdom  far  exceeds  the  globe ; 
A  kingdom  wide  as  endless  space, 
Prepared  for  man  through  sov'reign  grace. 

Whilst  others  spurn  this  matchless  love, 
Do  thou  my  warm  affections  move  ; 
Drawn  by  thy  sacred  Spirit,  Lord, 
May  I  adore  the  incarnate  Word. 

Then  shall  I  live  in  heav'nly  rest, 
And  die  in  peace,  supremely  blest ; 
Borne  on  some  friendly  seraph's  wing, 
The  praises  of  my  God  to  sing. 


VII. ON  THE  DECEITFULNESS  OF  THE  HEART. 

The  word  of  truth  declares,  "  the  heart  is  deceitful 
above  all  things  and  desperately  wicked :  who  can 
know  it  ?"  Jer.  xvii.  9. 

The  deceitfulness  of  the  heart  is  so  great,  that  no 
human  penetration  can  discover  its  extent,  or  detect  its 
various  windings. 

Fully  to  know  this  hidden  evil  is  the  prerogative  of 
Jehovah;  for  when  the  question  is  asked,  "Who  can 
know  it  ?"  the  important  answer  is  given,  "  I  the  Lord, 
search  the  heart  and  try  the  reins,  even  to  give  every 
man  according  to  his  ways  and  according  to  the  fruit 
of  his  doings." 

The  holy,  ever  blessed  Trinity,  three  persons  in  one 
Jehovah,  can  alone  raise  man  from  the  ruins  of  the  fall, 
and  restore  him  to  holiness,  happiness,  and  heaven. 

How  vain  then  are  all  attempts  to  renovate  the  old 
Adam.  The  ancient  philosopher  and  the  modern  ratio- 
nalist have  each  found  their  boasted  efforts  ineffectual, 
in  restoring  the  disfigured  mind  of  man  to  moral  beauty. 


DECEITFULMESS    OF    THE    HEART.  41 

^  The  arts  of  civilization  may  indeed  render  the  savage 
peacable,  domestic,  and  industrious  ;  just  as  a  refined 
education  gives  to  the  more  cultivated  parts  of  society, 
that  vigor  of  mind  and  suavity  of  manner  which  greatly 
add  to  the  enjoyment  of  social  life.  But  without  the 
sanctifying  grace  of  God,  communicated  through  the 
faithful  preaching  of  the  Gospel,  the  rude  barbarian, 
though  civilized,  still  retains  his  blindness  respecting 
the  true  God,  and  all  his  native  propensities  to  evil. 

If  we  turn  our  eyes  from  the  civilized  heathen,  to  his 
superior  in  the  scale  of  intelligence,  the  polished  and 
well-educated  inhabitant  of  a  Christian  country,  we 
behold  in  this  latter  character,  science,  taste,  politeness; 
all  that  can  charm  the  mind  and  imagination  in  the 
brilliancy  of  wit,  strength  of  intellect,  and  sportive 
nights  of  fancy ;  yet  even  this  polished  stone,  cut  out 
of  the  quarry  of  nature,  and  rendered  so  beautiful  by 
art,  is  still  destitute  of  real  worth,  whilst  devoid  of  those 
qualities  which  alone  can  render  it  precious  in  the  sight 
of  God. 

Such  a  character,  the  world's  idol  and  the  Gospel's 
bane,  is  held  up  as  the  pinnacle  of  excellence,  whilst 
utterly  abhorrent  in  the  eye  of  Him  who  seeth  not  as 
man  seeth ;  and  who  hath  declared,  that  while  man  look- 
eth  at  the  outward  appearance,  he  looketh  at  the  heart. 

Hence  we  see  the  necessity  of  converting  grace, 
whether  in  the  rude,  or  more  polished  parts  of  the 
human  race.  In  all,  the  heart  is  deceitful  above  all 
things  and  desperately  wicked.  In  all,  sin  reigns,  till 
divine  love  dethrones  the  tyrant,  and  brings  the  hum- 
bled sinner  to  the  feet  of  Jesus. 

We  cannot  have  a  more  convincing  proof  of  the  cor- 
ruption of  our  nature,  than  that  proneness  which  we 
continually  feel  to  rest  in  the  creature,  and  to  find  our 
satisfaction  in  earthly  things. 

4* 


42  DECEITFULNESS    OF    THE    HEART. 

This  alienation  of  the  heart  from  God,  may  and  often 
does  exist  to  a  most  awful  extent,  under  the  fair  garb 
of  amiability  of  temper,  and  the  creditable  profession  of 
orthodox  Christianity.  It  is  therefore  possible  to  be 
highly  esteemed  amongst  men,  and  yet  be  an  abomina- 
tion in  the  sight  of  God. 

The  holy  Scriptures  declare,  that  God  will  not  accept 
of  a  divided  heart.  We  must  love  God  supremely,  or  we 
do  not  love  him  at  all.  We  must  rest  altogether  upon  his 
grace  as  manifested  in  the  gift  of  his  beloved  Son,  or 
our  partial  dependance  will  be  found  a  delusion.  The 
language  of  the  Almighty  Father  is,  "my  son  give  me 
thy  heart."  Oh,  happy  hour !  when  the  heart  is  cheer- 
fully and  without  reserve  given  to  a  gracious  God. 

As  all  sin  lies  in  the  departure  of  the  heart  from  God, 
so  all  holiness  is  concentrated  in  this  unreserved  surren- 
der of  the  heart  to  him.  Herein  lies  the  secret  of  holi- 
ness and  of  happiness. 

When  the  heart  is  once  truly  given  to  God ;  when 
the  affections  flow  delightfully  towards  him  ;  when  the 
will  is  swallowed  up  in  the  Divine  will ;  when  the 
whole  soul  is  devoted  to  the  service  of  its  Creator, 
Preserver,  and  Redeemer  ;  then  the  fruits  of  righteous- 
ness will  appear  and  abound ;  then  joy  and  peace  will 
gladden  the  heart;  and  hope  and  love  will  unite  to 
prepare  the  believer  for  his  eternal  rest. 

But  it  is  most  awful  to  think  how  little  the  blessed 
God  is  regarded  and  obeyed  by  creatures  whom  he  has 
endued  with  reason  and  reflection. 

Man,  although  formed  to  show  forth  the  praises  of 
Jehovah,  is  of  all  his  lower  works,  the  only  creature  who 
rebels  against  his  sovereign  will.  "The  ox  knoweth 
his  owner,  and  the  ass  his  master's  crib ;  but  Israel 
doth  not  know,  my  people  do  not  consider."  "  The 
stork  in  the  heaven  knoweth  her  appointed  times;  and 


DECEITFULNESS    OF    THE    HEART.  43 

the  turtle,  and  the  crane,  and  the  swallow  observe  the 
time  of  their  coming  ;  but  my  people  know  not  the 
judgment  of  the  Lord."  "  Hear  now  this,  Oh  !  foolish 
people  and  without  understanding  ;  which  have  eyes 
and  see  not :  which  have  ears  and  hear  not :  fear  ye 
not  me?  saith  the  Lord:  will  ye  not  tremble  at  my 
presence,  which  have  placed  the  sand  for  the  bound  of 
the  sea  by  a  perpetual  decree  that  it  cannot  pass  it ; 
and  though  the  waves  thereof  toss  themselves,  yet  can 
they  not  prevail ;  though  they  roar,  yet  can  they  not 
pass  over  it  1  But  this  people  hath  a  revolting  and  a 
rebellious  heart ;   they  are  revolted  and  gone." 

When  we  read  the  sacred  pages  of  revealed  truth, 
what  an  awful  catalogue  of  crime  meets  our  eye. 

What  unbelief,  what  pride,  what  sensual  lust,  what 
covetousness,  what  supreme  attachment  to  the  world, 
what  daring  independence  and  contempt  of  the  Al- 
mighty, what  entire  forgetfulness  of  God,  and  abomi- 
nable idolatries,  what  gross  impurities,  what  envy, 
malice,  cruelties  and  love  of  blood,  what  deceit  and 
fraud,  what  superstition,  hypocrisy,  and  formality,  what 
crimes  of  every  name  and  character  stain  the  history  of 
our  fallen  race,  and  prove  by  an  incontrovertible  evi- 
dence, that  we  are  born  in  sin,  and  are  by  nature  the 
children  of  wrath. 

For  such  a  world  of  hateful  sinners,  Jesus  died  ! 

Oh  !  stupendous  miracle  of  mercy  !  Well  may  an- 
gels desire  to  look  into  this  mystery  of  love.  But  Oh  ! 
amazing  infatuation,  man,  for  whom  this  mercy  was 
provided,  man  to  whom  this  mercy  is  offered,  man,  who 
so  greatly  needs  it,  and  who  without  it  must  perish  for 
ever,  is  careless  and  indifferent,  yea,  most  awfully  op- 
posed to  it ! 

We  do  not  dislike  mercy,  but  we  dislike  the  channel 
through  which  it  flows. 


44  DECEIi  FULNESS  OF  THE  HEART. 

We  do  not  dislike  forgiveness,  but  we  dislike  the 
purity  of  heart  connected  with  it. 

We  do  not  dislike  heaven  as  a  place  of  rest  from  toil 
and  sorrow,  but  we  dislike  those  dispositions  and  af- 
fections which  alone  can  qualify  us  for  the  enjoyment 
of  it. 

Whilst  we  would  gladly  be  saved  from  future  misery, 
we  cannot  part  with  present  sinful  attachments  :  there- 
fore we  wilfully  renounce  the  infinite  joys  of  heavenly 
glory,  and  choose  the  pleasures  of  sin,  which  are  but 
for  a  season,  with  all  their  tremendous  consequences, 
in  a  future  world.  Awful  delusion  !  Lord  save  us 
from  such  a  miserable  choice  and  condition. 

In  the  midst  of  this  general  aversion  to  the  humbling, 
purifying,  elevating  doctrines  and  precepts  of  the  Gos- 
pel, there  is,  in  every  age,  a  "remnant  according  to  the 
election  of  grace,"  who  most  gladly  and  thankfully 
embrace  the  rich  offers  of  mercy  made  to  a  lost  world 
through  the  atoning  sacrifice  of  the  Son  of  God.  These 
happy  souls  receive  Christ  into  their  hearts  by  faith, 
obtain  pardon  and  peace  through  his  blood,  and  are  re- 
newed in  the  spirit  of  their  minds  through  the  power  of 
the  Holy  Spirit. 

They  walk  in  humble  fear  and  holy  obedience  ;  are 
admitted  as  heirs  of  glory  into  God's  everlasting  king- 
dom ;  and  reign  with  Christ  their  Lord  and  Saviour  for 
ever  and  ever. 

Blessed  Jesus  !  thou  who  art  the  kind  Physician  of 
souls,  heal  this  fatal  distemper  of  my  fallen  nature — an 
earthly  mind.  Spiritualize  my  affections — elevate  my 
views — enlarge  my  heart.  Fill  my  soul  with  thine 
own  self.  Let  me  not  grovel  here  below,  fond  of  the 
perishing  vanities  of  time.  Wean  my  heart  from  the 
fugitive  enjoyments  of  sense,  and  fix  my  affections  upon 
thyself,  the  eternal  unchanging  source  of  good.     Oh  ! 


KEEPING    THE    HEART.  45 

satisfy  me  with  thy  mercy,  and  that  soon.     Hasten  to 
help  me,  for  thou  art  my  God. 

Short-sighted  man  can  only  see 
The  outward  form  of  piety  ; 
But  God  can  in  a  moment  dart 
Within  the  caverns  of  the  heart. 

To  his  all-searching,  piercing  eye, 
Our  secret  evils  naked  lie ; 
Pride  cannot  work,  by  him  unseen, 
Nor  angry  passions,  lust,  or  spleen. 

Wash  me  in  Jesus'  blood  divine ; 
May  I  be  his,  and  he  be  mine; 
From  all  deceitful  workings,  free 
My  heart  that  pants  to  live  for  thee. 

A  monument  of  grace  I  stand, 
Redeem'd,  supported  by  thy  hand  ; 
Whate'er  I  am,  whate'er  possess, 
'Tis  all  the  gift  of  richest  grace. 

Then  let  my  soul  for  ever  raise 
The  incense  of  adoring  praise  ; 
And  join  the  heavenly  choirs  above, 
In  sweetest  sonsrs  of  srrateful  love. 


VIII. ON    KEEPING    THE    HEART. 

When  we  are  spiritually  taught  of  God  to  know 
something  of  the  desperate  wickedness  and  deceitful- 
ness  of  our  hearts,  we  are  prepared  to  feel  the  force  of 
this  exhortation  : 

"  Keep  thy  heart  with  all  diligence,  for  out  of  it  are 
the  issues  of  life." 

Our  Messed  Lord  has  told  us,  that  out  of  the  heart 
proceed  evil  thoughts  ;  from  whence  we  learn,  that  the 


46  KEEPING    THE    HEART. 

heart  is  the  fountain  of  all  wickedness.  Evil  thoughts 
are  the  springs  of  evil  actions.  Till  the  fountain  be 
cleansed,  all  the  streams  which  issue  from  it  must 
therefore  be  impure. 

The  heart  undergoes  a  wonderful  change  when  re- 
newed by  the  Spirit  of  grace.  But,  as  man  is  renewed 
only  in  part,  it  becomes  the  constant  duty  and  work  of 
every  believer  to  keep  his  heart  with  all  diligence. 
Sinless  perfection  is  the  glory  and  blessedness  of  heaven. 
Here,  the  most  holy  servant  of  God  finds  daily  need  of 
deep  humiliation. 

"  He  that  is  washed,"  said  our  Lord  to  Peter  "  need- 
eth  not,  save  to  wash  his  feet."  Daily  contracted  defile- 
ment needs  daily  washing.  All  the  children  of  God 
labor  to  abound  yet  more  and  more  in  all  knowledge 
and  in  all  goodness.  Forgetting  the  things  which  are 
behind,  they  reach  forth  unto  those  things  which  are 
before ;  and  eagerly  press  toward  the  mark  for  the  prize 
of  the  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus. 

Uniting  with  holy  David  in  sentiment  and  feeling, 
they  can  individually  say,  "I  hate  vain  thoughts,  but 
thy  law  do  I  love."  "Let  the  words  of  my  mouth, 
and  the  meditation  of  my  heart,  be  acceptable  in  thy 
sight,  Oh  Lord,  my  strength  and  my  Redeemer." 

And  is  this  thy  prayer,  Oh,  my  soul  ]  Art  thou 
laboring  to  maintain  a  conscience  void  of  offence  both 
towards  God  and  towards  man  1  Is  "  the  thought  of 
foolishness"  distressing  to  thee  1  Canst  thou  with 
Christian  sincerity  join  in  this  prayer  of  the  Psalmist ; 
"Search  me,  Oh  God,  and  know  my  heart,  try  me,  and 
know  my  thoughts  :  and  see  if  there  be  any  wicked 
way  in  me,  and  lead  me  in  the  way  everlasting?" 

The  Scriptures  declare,  "as  a  man  thinketh  in  his 
heart,  so  is  he  :"  this  habitual  inward  state  of  the 
thoughts  determines  his  character  in  the  sight  of  God. 


KEEPING    THE    HEART.  47 

Lord  give  me  grace  carefully  to  observe  my  thoughts, 
and  to  watch  and  pray,  lest  being  drawn  into  temptation 
through  the  wiles  of  the  devil  and  the  deceitfulness  of 
my  heart,  I  should  grieve  thy  Holy  Spirit,  by  whom 
thy  people  are  sealed  unto  the  day  of  redemption. 

Evil  thoughts  are  not  our  sins,  when,  being  injected 
by  Satan,  our  w ill  does  not  consent  unto  them,  but  hates 
and  opposes  them  :  and  when  we  earnestly  entreat  the 
Lord  to  save  us  by  his  grace  from  these  fiery  darts  of 
the  wicked  one. 

But  as  the  difficulty  lies  in  ascertaining  whether 
these  evil  suggestions  spring  from  Satan,  or  the  corrup- 
tion of  our  nature,  the  safest  way  is  to  be  humbled  on 
account  of  them  :  to  betake  ourselves  to  Jesus  for  de- 
liverance from  these  spiritual  enemies,  remembering 
how  kindly  he  hath  said,  "  Come  unto  me  all  ye  that 
labor  and  are  heavy-laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest." 

If,  through  inattention,  our  souls  lie  open  to  the  in- 
roads of  our  ever  watchful  foe,  then  the  evil  thoughts 
which  he  stirreth  up  within  us,  and  which  are  suffered 
to  lodge  in  our  hearts,  become  our  sin. 

All  wanderings  and  distractions  of  mind  in  our  reli- 
gious exercises,  arising  from  want  of  watchfulness  and 
due  keeping  of  the  heart  are  sinful. 

Those  evil  thoughts  which  are  excited  by  dwelling 
on  forbidden  objects,  reading  immoral  books,  associating 
with  carnal  persons,  or  partaking  in  worldly  amuse- 
ments calculated  to  inflame  the  passions,  are  most 
awfully  chargeable  upon  us ;  and  will,  if  not  repented 
of,  and  atoned  for  through  a  believing  application  to 
the  blood  of  Jesus,  sink  our  souls  into  endless  perdition. 

If  evil,  ever  bubbling  up  in  the  heart,  so  soon  issues 
into  the  various  actions  of  the  life  ;  how  needful  to 
every  true  believer  is  this  exhortation  of  Solomon : 
"  keep  thy  heart  with  all  diligence." 


48  KEEPING    THE    HEART. 

In  order  that  our  thoughts  may  please  God,  they  must 
be  brought  into  captivity  to  the  obedience  of  Christ. 

The  word  of  Christ  must  dwell  in  us  richly,  in  all 
wisdom  and  spiritual  understanding,  that  out  of  the 
abundance  of  the  heart,  our  mouth  may  speak  to  his 
praise  and  glory. 

"  Thy  word,"  saith  David,  "  have  I  hid  in  my  heart, 
that  I  might  not  sin  against  thee." 

"  Whatsoever  things  are  true,  honest,  just,  pure, 
lovely,  and  of  good  report,  if  there  be  any  virtue,  and 
if  there  be  any  praise,  we  must  think  on  these  things." 

We  must  carefully  watch  against  the  first  risings  of 
sin,  that  through  grace,  the  sprouting  evil  may  be  nip- 
ped in  the  bud. 

We  must  be  much  in  the  habit  of  mental  prayer,  lift- 
ing up  our  heart  to  God  on  all  occasions  in  humble, 
fervent  ejaculations  :  which  is  what  the  Apostle  recom- 
mends when  he  says,  "pray  without  ceasing."  This 
spirit  of  prayer,  this  holy  habit  of  devotion,  these  sacred 
breathings  of  the  soul,  hinder  no  business  except  the 
evil  workings  of  Satan  on  the  mind.  This  heavenly 
frame,  this  delightful  communion  with  the  Father  of 
Spirits,  forms  the  purest  source  of  enjoyment  to  the 
Christian  pilgrim,  whilst  journeying  through  a  vale 
of  tears. 

To  prevent  the  intrusion  of  evil  thoughts,  we  must 
always  take  care  to  be  usefully  employed ;  since  idle- 
ness is  the  soil  in  which  Satan  sows  his  tares  with 
liberal  hand. 

The  best  way  to  keep  the  heart,  is  that  which  St. 
Jude  prescribes  ;   "Keep  yourselves  in  the  love  of  God." 

We  must  meditate  often  on  the  nature  of  Almighty 
God,  his  majesty  and  glory,  his  truth  and  justice,  his 
holiness  and  purity,  his  grace  and  mercy  :  then  our 
own  apostacy,  vileness,  and  nothingness. 


KEEPING    THE    HEART.  49 

We  must  think  much  on  the  love  of  Christ  in  dying 
for  sinners,  on  his  agony  and  bloody  sweat,  his  cross 
and  passion  ;  and  then  ask — Can  I  indulge  a  sinful 
thought,  and  cherish  in  my  mind  those  dreadful  evils, 
which  nothing  but  the  blood  of  God  incarnate  could 
expiate  and  wash  away?  Can  I  sin  against  such 
transcendent  love  1 

We  must  dwell  with  delight  on  the  gracious  opera- 
tions of  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  leading  the  trembling  sinner 
to  Jesus  ;  in  enabling  him  to  believe  with  the  heart 
unto  righteousness  ;  and  in  causing  him  to  love  that 
precious  Saviour,  who  is  the  chief  among  ten  thousand, 
and  altogether  lovely. 

We  must  be  continually  looking  with  an  eye  of  faith 
to  Jesus,  as  our  great  example  ;  remembering  that  "if 
any  man  have  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none  of 
his."  He  left  us  "  an  example  that  we  should  follow 
his  steps  ;"  and  hath  declared,  "  my  sheep  hear  my 
voice,  and  I  know  them,  and  they  follow  me."  His 
whole  mediatorial  character  must  be  the  object  of  our 
thoughts,  till  our  souls  are  changed  into  the  same  image, 
from  glory  to  glory,  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord. 

In  order  to  the  keeping  of  the  heart  with  all  diligence, 
we  must  labor  to  set  the  Lord  always  before  us.  We 
must  feel  ourselves  surrounded  with  his  omnipresence, 
to  whom  the  darkness  and  the  light  are  both  alike  ; 
who  weigheth  the  spirits  ;  who  is  a  discerner  of  the 
thoughts  and  intents  of  the  heart.  • 

Oh  !  my  soul,  trifle  no  longer  with  thy  thoughts. 
The  irregular  desire,  the  impure  look,  the  angry  pur- 
pose, though  unseen  by  man,  are  all  recorded  b/  the 
omniscient  God ;  and  will  be  condemned  as  actual 
transgressions  of  his  holy  law,  in  that  day  when  the 
Becrets  of  all  hearts  shall  be  revealed. 

Hasten  then  to  Jesus  for  grace  to  save  thee,  and  to 
5 


50  BLESSEDNESS    OP    A    NEW    HEART. 

keep  thee.  For  ever  renounce  all  hope  of  saving  thy- 
self by  any  merit  of  thy  own.  If  "  the  thought  of  fool- 
ishness is  sin,"  where  is  the  man  that  liveth  and  sinneth 
not? 

Blessed  Saviour  !  in  thee  alone  have  I  righteousness 
and  strength.  Put  forth  thy  mighty  power.  Deliver 
me  from  the  assaults  of  Satan,  and  the  workings  of  an 
evil  heart. 

Enable  me  to  watch  and  pray,  to  wrestle  and  fight, 
to  labor  and  strive  in  thy  promised  strength,  till  conflict 
shall  end  in  victory,  weariness  in  rest,  and  mourning  in 
eternal  songs  of  joy. 

With  guilt  oppress'd,  bow'd  down  with  sin, 

Beneath  its  load  I  groan  ; 
Give  me,  dear  Lord,  a  heart  of  flesh, 

Remove  this  heart  of  stone. 

A  burden'ed  sinner,  lo  !  I  come, 

An  heir  of  death  and  hell ; 
Oh !  seal  my  pardon  with  thy  blood, 

And  all  my  fears  dispel. 

Nor  peace,  nor  rest,  my  soul  can  find, 

Till  thy  dear  cross  I  see ; 
Till  there  in  humble  faith  I  cry, 

My  Jesus  died  for  me. 

Oh !  give  this  realizing  faith, 

This  soul  supporting  view  ; 
Till  old  tilings  be  for  ever  past, 

And  all  within  be  new. 


IX ON    THE    BLESSEDNESS    OP    A   NEW    HEART. 

It  is  delightful  to  contemplate  the  beauties  which 
are  contained  in  one  short  passage  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures.    In  grace,  as  in  nature,  we  find  much  beauty  in 


BLESSEDNESS    OF    A    NEW    HEART.  51 

what  appears  comparatively  minute.  Faith,  like  the 
microscope,  discovers  the  hidden  charms,  and  presents 
to  our  mind  those  excellences,  which  lie  undiscovered 
to  the  eye  of  reason. 

The  following  short  promise  is  of  this  description :  "  I 
will  give  them  one  heart  and  one  way  :"  Jer.  xxxii,  39. 

The  whole  of  the  Christian  character  is  summed  up 
in  these  few  words.  This  precious  promise  virtually 
contains  every  thing  which  relates  to  inward  and  out- 
ward godliness  ;  faith  working  by  love  ;  and  love  work- 
ing by  obedience.  "I  will  qive  them  one  heart  and  one 
way."  The  two  great  features  of  the  Christian  charac- 
ter are  here  expressed :  singleness  of  heart,  and  con- 
sistency OF  CONDUCT. 

Without  a  single  eye,  that  is,  without  a  unity  of 
desire,  and  a  unity  of  design,  to  promote  the  glory  of 
God,  all  profession  of  faith  and  love  is  hypocritical 
and  vain. 

True  faith  is  simple  in  its  dependance,  and  looks  only 
unto  Jesus  for  pardon  and  peace,  and  every  other  spiri- 
tual blessing.  It  draws  off  the  mind  from  all  other  ob- 
jects, and  causes  the  believer  with  "  one  heart"  to  rely 
upon  the  atonement  made  by  the  Son  of  God  for  sin  ; 
and  to  draw  only  out  of  his  fulness  every  needful  grace. 

This  "  one  heart"  is,  therefore  a  most  comprehensive 
blessing.  The  more  we  examine  into  it  with  spiritual 
discernment,  the  more  of  new  beauties  we  shall  dis- 
cover, unfolding  themselves  to  our  enlightened  minds. 

When  Adam  was  in  a  state  of  innocence,  he  had 
only  "  one  heart."  Since  the  fall,  the  heart  of  man  is 
"  divided :"  Hosea  x,  2.  The  world,  sin,  and  self, 
each  claim  their  share  ;  and  as  the  Almighty  will  have 
the  whole  or  none,  he  has,  in  righteous  displeasure,  left 
his  rebel  creatures  to  the  miseries  of  a  divided  and  dis- 
tracted heart. 


53  BLESSEDNESS    OF    A    NEW    HEART. 

But  in  the  covenant  of  grace,  he  promises  to  repair 
the  breach  ;  to  give  us  "  one  heart,"  that  we  may  fear 
his  name,  seek  his  glory,  become  his  portion,  and  thus 
enjoy,  through  the  merits  of  the  Saviour,  the  inestima- 
ble blessings  of  communion  with  himself,  peace  of  con- 
science, and  assured  hope  of  glory.  "  Unite  my  heart 
to  fear  thy  name,"  was  the  ardent  prayer  of  David. 
Through  the  fall,  we  are  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins. 
There  is  no  movement  for  God.  All  is  disorder  and 
confusion,  like  a  broken  watch,  whose  wheels  lie  scat- 
tered here  and  there,  and  whose  spring  ceases  to  work. 
But  when  divine  grace  renovates  and  regulates  our 
spiritual  faculties  ;  when  our  heart  is  united  ;  when  we 
have  "  one  heart"  given  to  us  ;  when  all  our  soul  is 
alive  for  God  ;  and  with  singleness  and  simplicity  aims 
at  nothing  but  his  glory,  and  the  fulfilment  of  his  will : 
then  we  become  new  creatures ;  then  we  are  a  people 
formed  to  show  forth  his  praise  ;  then  we  possess  an 
inward  witness  of  our  union  to  Jesus,  and  our  adoption 
into  the  family  of  God. 

All  the  family  of  God,  possessing  this  "  one  heart," 
must  necessarily  be  united  to  each  other  in  brotherly 
love. 

This  loving  spirit  our  blessed  Lord  made  the  badge 
of  discipleship.  "  By  this  shall  all  men  know  that  ye 
are  my  disciples,  if  ye  love  one  another."  St.  John 
makes  it  a  mark  of  conversion :  "  we  know  that  we 
have  passed  from  death  unto  life,  because  we  love  the 
brethren."  St.  Paul  strongly  exhorts  to  unity  and 
fellowship  ;  and  declares  that  all  divisions  mark  the 
carnality  of  the  mind,  and  the  unsoundness  of  profes- 
sion. This  "  one  heart"  is  then  a  great  blessing,  since 
it  constitutes  the  very  essence  of  the  Christian  charac- 
ter, as  opposed  to  unbelief,  and  the  love  of  the  world 
and  sin. 


BLESSEDNESS    OF    A    NEW    HEART.  53 

"  I  will  give  them  one  way."  Christ  is  toe  one 
only  way  to  the  Father.  Faith  is  the  one  only  grace 
whereby  we  become  interested  in  the  work  of  Jesus. 
Love  is  the  one  only  principle  which  gives  intrinsic  ex- 
cellence to  our  various  operations.  Universal  holiness  is 
the  one  only  Scriptural  evidence  of  our  possessing  true 
faith  and  love  ;  and  being  savingly  united  to  Jesus,  the 
living  way  to  the  Father. 

Our  outward  conduct  must,  therefore,  be  in  consistency 
with  our  principles  and  professions.  We  must  have 
"one  way,"  the  way  of  God's  commandments,  and 
walk  steadily  in  that  one  way,  that  we  may  fear  his 
name  for  our  present  and  everlasting  good. 

Thus  the  whole  Christian  character  is  contained  in 
this  short,  but  beautiful  promise :  "  I  will  give  them 
one  heart  and  one  way." 

Here,  we  behold  one  of  the  sweet  fruits  of  mercy 
hanging  on  the  tree  of  life.  All  the  precious  promises 
are  so  many  pledges  of  God's  covenant  love,  which  he 
engages  to  fulfill. 

"Without  holiness  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord;"  but 
here  holiness  is  promised  as  the  work  of  Jehovah  in  the 
hearts  of  poor  sinners.  What  we  cannot  do,  God  has 
graciously  promised  to  perform.  He  who  says  "I  will," 
is  Almighty  and  true.  All  his  declarations  of  mercy 
are  marked  by  solidity  and  stability.  "  The  mountains 
shall  depart,  and  the  hills  be  removed;  but  my  kindness 
shall  not  depart  from  thee,  neither  shall  the  covenant 
of  my  peace  be  removed,  saith  the  Lord,  that  hath 
mercy  on  thee." 

"Thy  word,"  saith  David,  "is  tried  to  the  uttermost, 
therefore  thy  servant  loveth  it."  This  he  could  affirm 
from  personal  experience,  having  felt  its  blessed  influ- 
ence on  his  own  heart.  "Thy  word  hath  quickened 
me."     "  Thy  word  is  true  from  the  beginning."     "My 

5* 


54  BLESSEDNESS    OF    A    NEW    HEART. 

soul  hath  kept  thy  testimonies,  and  I  love  them  exceed- 
ingly." "For  thy  loving-kindness  is  before  mine  eyes; 
and  I  have  walked  in  thy  truth." 

Oh  !  thou  divine  Redeemer,  out  of  whose  inexhaus- 
tible fulness  I  would  daily  draw  a  rich  supply  of  grace 
into  my  needy  soul,  be  pleased  to  impart  unto  me  this 
"  one  heart ;"  that  to  please  thee,  may  be  my  greatest 
happiness,  and  to  promote  thy  glory  my  highest  honor. 

Preserve  me  from  false  motives,  from  a  double  mind, 
and  a  divided  heart.  Keep  me  entire  to  thyself,  and 
enable  me  to  crucify  every  lust,  which  would  tempt  my 
heart  from  thee. 

Enable  me  by  thy  grace  to  walk  in  "  one  way ;"  one 
uniform  path  of  holy,  child-like  obedience.  Suffer  me 
not  to  start  aside  like  a  broken  bow.  When  tempted  to 
turn  aside  to  the  right  hand  or  to  the  left,  may  I  hear  a 
voice  behind  me  saying,  "  this  is  the  way."  And  oh  ! 
may  I  keep  steadily  therein,  till  I  reach  the  outer  bor- 
ders of  the  wilderness  ;  and  then,  blessed  Jesus,  may 
some  blest  seraph  be  commissioned  to  bear  my  happy 
and  transported  spirit  along  the  shining  way  which 
leads  to  thine  abode  ;  till  brought  before  thy  throne,  I 
see  thy  face,  behold  thy  smile,  and  fall  in  ecstasy  at 
thy  feet,  lost  in  wonder,  love,  and  praise. 

Fill  me,  Oh  Lord,  with  holy  joy, 

With  humble,  filial  fear ! 
My  undivided  heart  employ 

In  praise  to  thee  and  prayer. 

Protect  me  from  the  power  of  ill  j 

Defend  my  soul  from  sin ; 
Subdue  my  proud  rebellious  will, 

And  make  me  pure  within. 

Create  an  ardent,  active  love, 

Thy  goodness  to  proclaim ; 
Oh  may  I  sweetly  feel  and  prove 

The  power  of  Jesus'  name ! 


IMMENSITY    OF    GOD.  55 

May  Jesus  my  beloved  be, 

My  shepherd  and  my  friend ; 
Unite  my  soul,  Oh,  Lord,  to  thee, 

In  bonds  that  ne'er  shall  end ! 

Then  will  my  raptured  soul  repeat 

The  wonders  of  thy  grace ; 
Till  prostrate  at  thy  mercy-seat, 

I  view  thee  face  to  face. 


X. ON    THE    IMMENSITY    OF    GOD. 

It  is  from  the  Holy  Scriptures  alone,  that  we  can 
attain  just  views  of  the  being,  nature,  and  character  of 
God.  How  sublime  are  the  revelations  of  the  divine 
perfections  there  made  known  to  us  !  Who  can  grasp 
this  one  thought — "Thus  saith  the  high  and  lofty  One, 
that  inhabiteth  eternity  ?" 

We  are  astonished  when  we  read  of  the  Egyptian 
pyramids,  and  the  magnificent  palaces  of  mighty  mon- 
archs ;  but  what  sightless  atoms  are  they,  when  com- 
pared with  eternity,  that  boundless  habitation  of  the 
King  of  kings. 

"From  everlasting  to  everlasting,  thou  art  God." 
The  existence  of  one  supreme  Being,  who  is  without 
beginning,  is  consonant  with  right  reason ;  for  he  who 
made  all  things,  must  necessarily  be  before  all  things. 
A  creature  cannot  make  itself.  This  would  imply  ex- 
ertion before  existence,  which  is  an  absurdity  And 
yet  how  far  above  our  finite  comprehension  is  the 
nature  of  the  self-existent,  eternal  Jehovah. 

Our  minds  are  lost  when  we  plunge  into  infinity. 
"Who  by  searching  can  find  out  God?  who  can  find 
out  the  Almighty  to  perfection  V* 

The  volume  of  creation  displays  the  wisdom,  power, 


56  IMMENSITY    OF    GOD. 

and  goodness  of  God.  What  wonderful  contrivance, 
what  wise  adaptation  of  one  part  to  another ;  what 
power  in  upholding,  what  goodness  in  preserving  the 
myriads  of  creatures  which  fill  the  air,  the  earth,  the 
sea,  is  discoverable  around  us. 

"A  late  eminent  astronomer  found,  that  in  41  min- 
utes not  less  than  258,000  stars  in  that  part  of  the  hea- 
ven, called  the  milky  way,  had  passed  through  the  field 
of  view  in  his  telescope  !  What  must  God  be,  who 
made,  governs,  and  supports  so  many  worlds,  who 
telleth  the  number  of  the  stars ;  and  calleth  them  all 
by  their  names." 

It  is,  however,  from  the  volume  of  Inspiration  that 
we  derive  our  knowledge  of  the  moral  attributes  of  the 
Deity  ;  and  obtain  those  awful,  yet  sublimely  interest- 
ing views  of  Him  with  whom  we  have  to  do,  which  at 
once  elevate  and  purify  the  soul. 

The  Holy  Bible  may  well  be  called  the  Book  of 
God  ;  not  only  because  it  has  God  for  its  author,  but 
because  it  is  filled  with  such  revelations  of  his  glorious 
character,  as  surpass  the  powers  of  human  reason  fully 
to  comprehend. 

How  fervently  did  the  apostle  pray  for  his  Ephesian 
converts  ;  that  the  glory  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the 
Father  of  glory,  would  give  unto  them  the  Spirit  of 
wisdom  and  revelation  in  the  knowledge  of  him  :  that 
the  eyes  of  their  understanding  being  enlightened,  they 
might  know  the  hope  of  his  calling;  and  the  riches  of 
the  glory  of  his  inheritance  in  the  saints ;  and  the  ex- 
ceeding greatness  of  his  power  towards  those  who  be- 
lieve ;  that  being  rooted  and  grounded  in  love,  they 
might  be  able  to  comprehend,  with  all  saints,  what  is 
the  breadth,  and  length,  and  depth  and  height;  and 
know  the  love  of  Christ  which  passeth  knowledge,  and 
so  be  filled  with  all  the  fulness  of  God. 


IMMENSITY    OF    GOD  67 

We  stand  upon  the  sea-shore,  and  survey  with  admi- 
ring delight  the  wide  extended  ocean,  whose  distant 
waters  lose  themselves  in  the  blue  horizon.  But  what 
is  this  great  abyss  of  waters,  compared  to  that  ocean  of 
Almighty  love,  which  is  without  a  bottom  and  a  shore  1 

Oh  !  my  God,  when  I  contemplate  thy  sovereign  will, 
which,  from  eternity,  in  highest  wisdom,  consulted  my 
welfare,  I  am  lost  in  astonishment. 

When  I  reflect  upon  thine  omnipotence,  omniscience, 
and  omnipresence  ;  upon  thine  infinite  holiness,  inviola- 
ble justice,  and  unerring  wisdom  ;  upon  thy  faithfulness, 
and  truth  ;  thine  everlasting  love,  thy  sovereign  grace, 
thy  patience  and  long-suffering — how  am  I  filled  with 
awe  and  dread  !  Yet  faith  can  contemplate  this  bright 
display  of  uncreated  excellence,  and  rejoice  in  thy  infi- 
nite perfections  as  exhibited  and  harmonized  in  Jesus, 
the  incarnate  Word.  Here  I  behold,  as  in  a  glass,  the 
glory  of  the  Lord.  Oh  !  that  whilst  beholding,  I  may 
be  transformed  into  the  lovely  image  of  the  Saviour, 
from  glory  to  glory,  even  as  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord. 

Who  does  not  long  to  feel  the  purifying  effect  of  these 
sacred  views  of  God  in  Christ  ?  Lord,  make  me  humble, 
whilst  I  meditate  on  thy  humility  ;  loving,  whilst  I  think 
upon  thy  love  ;  holy,  whilst  I  dwell  upon  thy  purity; 
just,  whilst  I  contemplate  thy  righteousness ;  merciful, 
whilst  I  behold  thy  grace  ;  joyful,  whilst  I  review  thy 
everlasting  covenant.  Oh  !  fill  my  heart  with  gratitude, 
and  my  mouth  with  praise.  To  thee,  blessed  Jesus,  do 
I  look.  Remove  all  spiritual  darkness  from  my  mind  : 
all  spiritual  deadness  from  my  heart.  Cause  me  to  know 
thee,  as  my  Saviour  ;  to  follow  thee,  as  my  leader ;  to 
love  thee,  as  my  friend  ;  to  trust  in  thee,  as  my  atone- 
ment ;  to  be  found  in  thee,  as  my  righteousness  ;  to  feed 
on  thee,  as  the  living  bread  ;  to  walk  in  thee,  as  the  way 
to  the  Father  ;  and  to  dwell  with  thee  in  heaven  for  ever. 


58  IMMENSITY    OF    GOD. 

What  comfort  may  every  humble  believer  derive  from 
the  declaration  of  his  Lord  !  "  am  I  a  God  at  hand  and 
not  a  God  afar  offl  Can  any  hide  himself  in  secret 
places  that  I  shall  not  see  him?  Do  not  I  fill  heaven 
and  earth,  saith  the  Lord  ?" 

"Where  two  or  three  are  gathered  together  in  my 
name,  there  am  I  in  the  midst  of  them."  "Lo,  I  am 
with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world." 

How  happy  must  that  soul  be,  whose  refuge  is  always 
near.  But  to  have  an  enemy  always  near  us  ;  an  enemy 
armed  with  omnipotence — an  enemy,  made  so  by  our 
wilful  transgressions  ;  is  a  consideration  most  appalling. 

Yet  this  is  the  case,  as  it  respects  every  impenitent 
sinner.  The  thought  of  such  a  God  being  ever  near, 
whose  eye  is  ever  upon  us,  whose  power  can  crush  us  in 
a  moment,  and  drive  the  outcast  spirit  into  outer  dark- 
ness, would,  one  would  think,  awaken  every  dormant 
sensibility,  and  arouse  every  sleeping  sinner.  Yet,  alas  ! 
surrounded  with  such  peril,  the  soul  sleeps  on  in  dread- 
ful security,  till  either  grace  quicken  it  to  repentance,  or 
justice  awaken  it  in  the  fire  that  shall  never  be  quenched. 

Lord,  awaken  my  drowsy  sense.  Quicken  all  my 
powers.  Draw  me  by  the  powerful,  constraining  influ- 
ence of  thy  love  ;  and  cause  me  to  rejoice  in  this  sacred 
truth,  that  thou  art  always  near,  my  help  in  trouble  and 
my  life  in  death. 

When  we  begin  to  measure  distances  with  respect  to 
natural  objects,  we  are  lost  in  astonishment.  What 
thought  can  reach  the  boundary  of  creation  1  Many  suns 
have  probably  been  sending  forth  their  rays  in  quick  suc- 
cession from  the  first  moment  of  creation,  whose  light 
has  not  reached  our  earth.  Who,  then,  can  measure 
such  distances  ?  And  yet,  what  are  millions  of  worlds 
revolving  round  each  other,  compared  with  infinite  space, 
and  eternal  duration  1    If  we  cannot,  by  the  boldest  flight 


IMMENSITY    OF    GOD.  59 

of  imagination,  conceive  the  mighty  stretch  of  creation, 
how  shall  we  dare  to  sin  against  that  inconceivably 
glorious  Being  who  filleth  heaven  and  earth  with  his 
presence — who  inhabiteth  eternity  ! 

How  truly  sublime  are  the  questions  of  the  enraptured 
prophet  Isaiah  !  "Who  hath  measured  the  waters  in 
the  hollow  of  his  hand  ;  and  meted  out  heaven  with  a 
span  :  and  comprehended  the  dust  of  the  earth  in  a 
measure,  and  weighed  the  mountains  in  scales,  and  the 
hills  in  a  balance  V 

"  Behold  the  nations  are  as  the  drop  of  a  bucket,  and 
are  counted  as  the  small  dust  of  the  balance :  behold  he 
taketh  up  the  isles  as  a  very  little  thing." 

"  All  nations  before  him  are  as  nothing,  and  they  are 
counted  to  him  less  than  nothing  and  vanity." 

"  It  is  he  that  sitteth  upon  the  circle  of  the  earth,  and 
the  inhabitants  thereof  are  as  grasshoppers  :  that  stretch- 
eth  out  the  heavens  as  a  curtain  ;  and  spreadeth  them 
out  as  a  tent  to  dwell  in." 

"  Hast  thou  not  known,  hast  thou  not  heard,  that  the 
everlasting  God,  the  Lord,  the  Creator  of  the  ends  of  the 
earth,  fainteth  not,  neither  is  weary  1 — there  is  no  search 
ing  of  his  understanding.  He  giveth  power  to  the  faint ; 
and  to  them  that  have  no  might,  he  increaseth  strength. 
Even  the  youths  shall  faint  and  be  weary ;  and  the  young 
men  shall  utterly  fall.  But  they  that  wait  upon  the  Lord 
shall  renew  their  strength ;  they  shall  mount  up  with 
wings  as  eagles  ;  they  shall  run  and  not  be  weary,  they 
shall  walk  and  not  faint." 

Every  doctiine  of  Scripture  is  designed  to  promote  our 
growth  in  grace.  They  are  given  to  us,  not  for  specu- 
lation, but  for  practice.  From  this  view  of  the  divine 
immensity,  we  are  taught  humility,  reverence,  and  cir- 
cumspection. 

Wherever  we  are,  whatever  we  are  doing,  the  eye  of 


60  IMMENSITY    OF    GOD. 

God  is  upon  us,  viewing  us,  not  as  an  indifferent  spec- 
tator, but  taking  cognizance  of  every  action,  of  every 
word,  yea  of  every  thought  that  rises  in  our  minds  ;  that, 
from  this  awful,  this  continued,  this  never  to  be  avoided 
scrutiny,  our  eternal  condition  may  be  fixed  at  the  judg- 
ment day. 

How  plain  are  the  declarations  of  Scripture  : 

"  God  shall  bring  every  work  into  judgment,  with 
every  secret  thing,  whether  it  be  good  or  whether  it  be 
evil:"  Eccles.  xii,  14.  "He  hath  appointed  a  day,  in 
the  which  he  will  judge  the  world  in  righteousness  :" 
Acts  xvii,  31.  "  God  shall  judge  the  secrets  of  men  by 
Jesus  Christ:"  Rom.  ii,  16.  "Every  one  of  us  shall 
give  an  account  of  himself  to  God:"  Rom.  xiv,  12.  "The 
Son  of  man  shall  come  in  the  glory  of  his  Father,  with 
his  angels  :  and  then  he  shall  reward  every  man  accord- 
ing to  his  works  :"  Matt,  xvi,  27.  For  by  actions,  the 
sincerity  of  faith  in  Christ  is  best  known  and  evidenced. 
And  our  reward,  though  not  of  debt  but  of  grace,  will  be 
more  or  less  glorious  according  to  our  works,  those  fruits 
of  faith,  done  for  Christ  in  this  present  world.  See 
Matt,  x,  42,  xxv,  34,  40.     Dan.  xii,  3.     1  Cor.  xv,  41,  42. 

In  like  manner,  the  punishment  of  unbelievers  will  be 
proportionate  to  their  respective  degrees  of  wickedness, 
and  their  comparative  abuse  of  light,  mercies,  and  privi- 
leges vouchsafed  to  them. 

"  Wo  unto  thee,  Chorazin  ;  wo  unto  thee,  Bethsaida  : 
for  if  the  mighty  works  which  were  done  in  you,  had 
been  done  in  Tyre  and  Sidon,  they  would  have  repented 
long  ago  in  sackcloth  and  ashes.  I  say  unto  you,  it 
shall  be  more  tolerable  for  Tyre  and  Sidon  at  the  day 
of  judgment,  than  for  you." 

"  Every  idle  word  that  men  shall  speak,  they  shall 
give  account  thereof  in  the  day  of  judgment ;  for  by  thy 
words  thou  shalt  be  justified,  and  by  thy  words  thou  shalt 


IMMENSITY    OP    GOD.  61 

be  condemned."  Because  our  words  will  evidence  the 
state  of  our  hearts ;  and  therefore  prove  us  either  in  the 
faith,  01  unre generate,  before  an  assembled  world. 

"  He  will  bring  to  light  the  hidden  things  of  darkness, 
and  make  manifest  the  counsels  of  the  heart :"  1  Cor.  iv,  5. 

How  infinite  is  that  omniscient  God,  who  can  search 
the  deep  recesses  of  every  heart ;  yea,  of  hundreds  of 
millions  of  hearts  in  every  age,  and  at  the  same  moment 
of  time,  without  confounding  in  the  least  degree  the 
motives  and  purposes  of  his  rational  creatures  ;  and  who 
at  the  great  day  of  account  will  reveal  to  each  his  secret 
sins,  while  all  shall  stand  speechless  and  self-condemned 
before  his  awful  tribunal ! 

Lord,  give  me  grace  to  judge  myself  now,  that  I  may 
not  be  condemned  in  that  day.  Oh,  send  down  thy 
blessed  Spirit  into  my  heart !  Sanctify  every  thought, 
every  affection  and  desire.  Purge  me  with  the  cleans- 
ing blood  of  thy  dear  Son.  Clothe  me  with  his  spotless 
righteousness ;  that,  being  viewed  by  thee  in  Christ  my 
Saviour,  1  may  be  saved  with  an  everlasting  salvation ; 
and  never  be  confounded,  world  without  end. 

"  Thou,  God,  seest  me."  To  feel  the  abiding  im- 
pression of  this  solemn  truth,  would  be  a  sacred  preser- 
vation from  sin.  When  an  evil  thought  arises  in  my 
heart,  should  I  like  to  divulge  it  to  my  nearest  friend  ? 
Ah  !  no.  Conscience,  shame,  or  a  regard  to  his  good 
opinion  checks  the  disclosure.  What !  and  shall  I  dare 
to  indulge  such  a  thought,  exposed  to  my  Almighty 
friend,  and  naked  in  his  sight,  when  I  would  not  dare 
to  mention  it  to  a  fellow  worm  !  Where  is  the  fear  of 
God  1  Where  is  the  belief  of  his  omniscience  ?  Where 
is  the  awe  of  his  omnipresence  1  Where  is  the  dread  of 
final  judgment  1  Yea,  where  is  my  love  to  Christ,  who 
died  to  save  me  from  my  sins  1  "  Doth  not  he  see  my 
w  ays,  and  count  all  my  steps  1"  Job  xxxi,  4. 

6 


62  IMMENSITY    OF    GOD. 

This  method  of  addressing  conscience  may,  through 
grace,  present  a  powerful  barrier  against  the  injections 

of  Satan,  and  the  workings  of  natural  corruption.     Lord, 
strengthen  me  more  and  more! 

Give  me  grace  never  to  harbor  a  thought  which  I 
Bhould  It  ashamed  to  express.  May  I  never  forget,  (hat, 
as  speaking  is  hut  thinking  aloud,  so  thinking  is  speak 
ing  to  thee,  who  requirest.  not,  like  weak  mortals,  the 
medium  o\  words  and  sounds.  Thou  nearest  the  inward 
voice  of  the  soul,  pouring  out  itself  before  thee  in  silent 
yet  fervent  breathings  of  desire;  and  thou  knowest  the 
subtile  workings  of  inbred  sin. 

May  1  ever  consider  myself  as  in  thy  immediate  pre 
sence;  surrounded  by  thy  immensity.  "Thou,  God, 
seest  me."  May  this  thought  constrain  me  to  act  with 
purity,  truth,  and  sincerity,  when  no  human  eye  can 
observe  my  anions ;  or.  it"  my  actions  are  visible,  when 
they  cannot  unveil  my  motives. 

May  I  do  all  from  a  principle  of  love  to  thee,  and  with 
a  simple  desire  in  all  things  to  promote  thy  glory;  for 
thine  eyes  "  run  to  and  fro  throughout  the  whole  earth, 
to  show  tin  self  strong  in  the  behalf  of  them  whose  heart 
is  perfect  towards  thee." 

How  consoling  is  this  view  of  the  divine  immensity, 
With  respect  to  our  distant  Christian  friends!  Where- 
evor  they  are.  whether  t-rossing  tempestuous  oceans,  or 
dwelling  in  distant  climes;  whether  traversing  dreary 
deserts,  or  climbing  craggy  steeps;  God  is  still  near  them, 
to  protect  and  bless  them. 

Should  he  call  them  out  of  the  body,  when  separated 
from  all  they  love  upon  earth  ;  yet  he  is  still  near,  to 
cheer  their  departing  spirits,  and  to  conduct  them  in 
safety  to  their  eternal  home. 

Let  me  then  rejoice,  Oh  Lord,  in  thy  presence.  Let 
me  be  always  happy  in  this  sweet  assurance,  that  thou 


DIVINE    SOVEREIGNTY.  63 

art  a  sun  and  shield,  and  wilt  give  grace  and  glory  to 
every  bumble  follower  of  the  Lamb. 

Oli  may  I  live  daily  nearer  to  thee  by  faith  and  pray- 
er !  Unite  my  heart  to  fear  thy  name.  Bind  my  affec- 
tions to  thy  cross  ;  and  suffer  me  not  one  moment  to 
wander  from  thee,  or  lose  the  thought  of  thy  immensity 
and  glory.  It  is  in  thee  (hat  1  live,  and  move,  and  have 
my  being;  it  is  from  thee  that  I  derive  every  spiritual 
and  temporal  blessing;  and  it  is  through  thee  that  I 
humbly  hope  to  be  brought  in  safety,  as  a  monument  of 
mercy,  into  thy  everlasting  kingdom. 

Oh,  holy,  holy,  holy  Lord  ! 

"Whom  angel-hosts  adore ; 
When  shall  1  join,  in  raptured  strains, 

The  hright  celestial  choir  ? 

In  pity,  view  a  sinful  worm, 

A  prisoner  here  below  ; 
A  pilgrim  journeying  through  the  land 

Of  darkness,  sin,  and  wo. 

Ten  thousand  voices  round  thy  throne 

Unite  in  hymns  divine  ; 
"  Salvation  to  the  Lamb ! "  they  cry, 

As  high  in  bliss  they  shine. 

Fain  would  I  now  begin  the  song, 

To  thee,  my  God  and  friend  ; 
Then  mingle  with  the  choirs  above, 

In  praise  wliich  ne'er  shall  end. 


XI. ON    THE    DIVINE    SOVEREIGNTY. 

At  the  creation,  amidst  the  darkness  of  chaos,  Jeho- 
vah said,  "Let  there  be  light,  and  there  was  light." 
When  veiled  in  human  flesh,  he  commanded  the  raging" 


64  DIVINE    SOVEREIGNTY. 

wind  and  waves,  saying,  "  Peace,  be  still :  and  imme- 
diately there  was  a  great  calm."  To  his  tempest-tossed 
people  he  now  speaks  these  composing  words  :  "  Be  still, 
and  know  that  I  am  God" — and  they  find  rest  unto  their 
souls. 

In  violent  public  commotions,  God  can  "  still  the 
madness  of  the  people  ;"  and  in  inward  mental  agonies, 
he  can  calm  the  agitated  spirit.  "  When  he  giveth 
quietness,  who  then  can  make  trouble  1  and  when  he 
hideth  his  face,  who  then  can  behold  him — whether  it 
be  done  against  a  nation,  or  against  a  man  only  ?"  Job 
xxxiv,  29. 

When  we  read  the  history  of  past  ages,  and  consider 
the  ever-changing  scene  before  us  ;  when  we  study  man, 
and  perceive  though  but  a  small  portion  of  the  passions 
and  contending  interests,  which  shake  the  fabric  of  so- 
ciety; how  delightful,  how  composing  to  the  mind,  is 
this  all-gracious  declaration,  "  Be  still,  and  know  that 
I  am  God  !" 

The  political  world,  like  the  air  and  sea  which  sur- 
round us,  is  ever  in  motion  ;  but  the  happy  believer  finds 
his  rest  in  God.  In  the  present  day,  the  human  mind 
seems  to  be  acted  upon  in  a  most  remarkable  manner. 
Knowledge  ;s  diffusing  its  light  in  every  direction;  and 
the  intellectual  powers  are  acquiring  an  expansion,  which 
their  ancient  boundaries  can  neither  limit  nor  control. 
The  Christian  world  is  all  awake  to  the  spiritual  and 
moral  degradation  of  mankind,  and  is  laboring  to  dis- 
seminate the  sacred  truths  of  revelation,  which  alone 
can  raise  our  fallen  race. 

The  enemies  of  the  Gospel  and  of  social  order  are 
alike  awake  to  their  deeds  of  darkness. 

There  is,  therefore,  at  the  present  eventful  period,  an 
evident  struggle  between  light  and  darkness.  The  strug- 
gle may  be  violent,  but  the  believer  hears  the  cheering 


DIVINE    SOVEREIGNTY.  65 

voice  from  heaven,  which  dissipates  every  rising  fear : 
"  Be  still,  and  know  that  I  am  God." 

Oh  my  soul,  rejoice  that  the  Lord  reigneth.  He  can 
calm  the  rough  surges  of  the  mind.  He  can  bid  the 
inward  tempest  cease.  He  can  pour  an  enlivening  ray 
upon  the  drooping  heart ;  and  cause  a  sweet  serenity  and 
peace  10  reign  within.  Trust  in  the  Lord  at  all  times. 
Be  still,  and  know  that  he  is  God. 

There  is  something  peculiarly  soothing  to  the  heart 
of  a  pious  Christian,  to  know  that  he  who  rules  over  all 
worlds,  in  whose  hands  are  the  destinies  of  nations,  and 
who  guides  the  minutest  concerns  of  families  and  indi- 
viduals, is  his  father  and  his  friend. 

The  more  we  know  of  God,  of  his  power,  wisdom, 
love,  faithfulness,  and  truth ;  the  more  we  shall  bow  be- 
fore his  throne  in  humble  adoration,  and  filial  confidence 
and  love. 

To  know  God  in  Christ ;  to  know  him  as  a  covenant 
God ;  to  know  him  as  our  God ;  is  to  possess  all  the 
sources  and  secrets  of  true  peace,  in  the  midst  of  sur- 
rounding storms  and  tempests.  This  knowledge  will 
raise  us  above  the  agitated  elements  of  the  world,  and 
place  us  in  that  pure  region  where  the  soul  can  breathe 
more  freely,  and  expand  her  powers  more  fully.  Faith 
views  with  admiration  the  perfections  of  Jehovah.  Hope 
rests  the  fulfilment  of  her  expectations  on  these  perfec- 
tions. Love  delights  in  them,  and  gradually  assimilates 
the  soul  to  them.  Whilst  patience  calmly  waits,  under 
every  changing  dispensation,  for  that  abundant  harvest 
of  rich  blessings,  which  the  God  of  truth  has  promised, 
and  which  his  faithfulness  will  perform. 

Come,  then,  Oh,  my  soul,  and  learn,  from  this  view 
of  thy  privileges,  the  blessedness  of  trusting  in  God. 
"  He  changes  not,  nor  knows  the  shadow  of  a  turn." 
All  his  promises  are  yea  and  amen.     All  his  ways  are 

6* 


GO  DIVINE    SOVEREIGNTY. 

righteous  and  true.  Cast  thy  care  upon  him  who  careth 
for  thee ;  and,  under  every  trying  event,  be  still,  and 
know  that  he  is  God. 

It  is  truly  animating  to  reflect,  that,  whilst  every 
thing  seems  given  to  change,  the  Almighty  has  de- 
clared, "  My  counsel  shall  stand,  and  I  will  do  all  my 
pleasure."  "  I  change  not."  The  purposes  of  God  are 
moving  steadily  and  directly  towards  their  fulfilment. 
Many  things,  according  to  our  short-sightedness,  appear 
to  thwart  his  designs.  Persecutors  arise,  and  cut  off  his 
most  zealous  servants.  Death  seizes  eminent  laborers 
in  his  vineyard.  Unforeseen  circumstances  spring  up, 
and  appear  to  check  the  progress  of  the  Gospel.  Hence 
we  are  ready  to  exclaim  with  David,  "  Lord,  let  not  man 
have  the  upper  hand."  But  is  not  this  the  language  of 
despondency  ;  the  language  of  a  soul  looking  through  a 
dark  and  gloomy  medium  ?  Man  never  had,  and  never 
shall  have,  the  upper  hand. 

David  was  in  a  right  frame  when  he  sang,  "The 
Lord  reigneth."  This  is  the  triumphant  song  of  the 
redeemed  above.  "  Alleluia — the  Lord  God  omnipotent 
reigneth." 

Nothing  can  happen  without  the  divine  prescience 
and  permission.  The  Almighty  sees  the  end  from  the 
beginning.  Unto  him  are  known  all  his  works,  and  all 
events  from  eternal  ages.  He  has  firmly  laid  his  eter- 
nal plans  of  goodness,  justice,  and  mercy.  All  things 
serve  him.  He  has  made  even  the  wicked  for  the  day 
of  evil.     Prov.  xvi,  4. 

Can  any  thing,  then,  unforeseen,  strike  across  his 
purposes,  or  derange  his  plans  ?  Can  any  man  who  is 
crushed  before  the  moth,  the  creature  of  a  day,  turn 
aside  the  grand  machine  of  providence,  whose  constant 
wheels  revolve  their  everlasting  rounds  1  Ah  !  no.  As 
every  thing  respecting  the  eternal  purposes  of  Jehovah 


DIVINE    SOVEREIGNTY.  67 

springs  from  his  own  will,  so  every  thing  shall  terminate 
in  his  own  glory.  Higher  and  farther  than  this,  we  can- 
not go.  "  He  is  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning  and 
the  end  ;   the  first  and  the  last." 

Clouds  and  darkness  may  surround  the  throne  of  the 
Eternal,  and  veil  his  bright  designs  :  but  faith  can  pierce 
the  veil,  and  view,  beyond  this  darkening  scene,  the 
rising  glories  of  Emanuel's  kingdom. 

How  great,  then,  is  the  blessedness  of  true  religion ! 
How  highly  privileged  is  the  child  of  God  !  As  nothing 
can  happen  without  the  divine  permission,  so  every  thing 
shall  work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God ; 
to  them  who  are  the  called  according  to  his  purpose. 

Satan  may  rage,  the  world  may  frown,  the  flesh  may 
rebel,  and  providence  may  seem  to  cross  the  humble  be- 
liever ;  but  yet,  notwithstanding  all  this  tempest,  his 
soul  is  safe,  being  hid  with  Christ  in  God.  He  may 
groan,  being  burdened ;  yet  still  he  can  rejoice.  He 
looks  through  the  curtain  of  time,  which  hangs  over 
the  glories  of  eternity :  and,  in  joyful  expectation  of 
soon  entering  within  the  veil,  he  endures,  with  much 
long-suffering,  the  trials  of  this  transitory  state. 

Not  so  the  worldling.  He  knows  no  joys  but  those 
of  sense,  or  those  perhaps  of  a  more  refined  nature,  flow- 
ing from  intellectual  pursuits.  But  in  respect  of  heav- 
enly pleasures,  arising  from  communion  with  his  Saviour, 
and  a  delightful  foretaste  of  future  bliss,  he  is  an  utter 
stranger.  To  him,  "the  future  is  a  dark  unknown." 
His  views  are  indistinct  and  dim,  when  he  reads  or  hears 
of  joys  for  ever  flowing  from  those  sources  which  are 
now  the  objects  of  his  unvarying  dislike. 

What  happiness  can  arise  from  the  contemplation  of 
being  eternally  with  Jesus,  when  prayer  and  meditation 
are  irksome  and  insipid]  What  happiness,  from  the 
idea  of  being  made  like  Jesus,  when  holiness  is  orTen- 


68  bxVINE    SOVEREIGNTY. 

sive  ?  or  from  the  consideration  of  beholding  his  glory, 
when  the  splendors  of  this  world  have  far  more  powerful 
attractions? 

It  is  true,  he  prefers  heaven  to  hell,  as  a  choice  of 
two  evils ;  but  he  secretly  disbelieves  the  word  of  reve- 
lation, and  therefore  hopes  that  hell  has  no  existence, 
and  that  death  is  an  eternal  sleep.  If  he  be  not  thus 
far  advanced  in  infidelity,  yet  he  flatters  himself,  that 
God  will  be  more  lenient  and  merciful  than  his  own  word 
declares  him  to  be.  Thus  he  ventures  upon  the  dread- 
ful step  of  putting  the  truth  of  God  to  its  most  awful 
test,  and  passes  through  death  to  learn  by  tremendous 
experience  the  madness  of  his  unbelief. 

Happy,  thrice  happy,  is  the  man  who  receives  with 
childlike  simplicity  the  word  of  God,  and  acts  upon  it. 

He  sees  God  in  every  thing,  and  can  feed  upon  the 
hidden  manna.  He  finds  the  promises  to  be  full  of  truth 
and  comfort.  On  them,  as  on  a  rock,  he  rests  in  safety. 
With  wonder  he  beholds  the  raging  tempest,  which, 
sweeping  over  the  nations  of  the  earth,  clears  away 
deep-rooted  prejudices,  and  prepares  a  smoother  path  for 
the  chariot  of  the  everlasting  Gospel. 

He  knows  that  glorious  days  are  hastening  on,  and 
therefore  is  not  discouraged,  though  they  be  preceded 
by  a  stormy  night.  He  hears  the  voice  of  his  Almighty 
Father,  speaking  in  gracious  accents  to  allay  his  fears: 
"  Be  still,  and  know  that  I  am  God ;"  and  is  kept  in 
perfect  peace. 

Come,  then,  Oh  my  soul !  and  take  courage.  Fear 
not  the  face  nor  the  frown  of  man.  The  Lord  reigneth, 
be  the  earth  ever  so  unquiet.  Sing  with  David — unite 
with  Luther,  and  say,  "  God  is  our  refuge  and  strength; 
a  present  help  in  trouble." 

Be  not  dismayed  at  the  troubles  of  the  earth.  Trem- 
ble not  at  the  convulsions  of  empires.     Only  fear  God ; 


DIVINE    SOVEREIGNTY.  69 

only  believe  in  his  promises  ;  only  love  and  serve  him ; 
and  all  things  shall  work  together  for  thy  good,  as  they 
assuredly  will  for  his  glory. 

Life  is  hastening  quickly  away.  Eternity  is  at  the 
door.  Live,  then,  for  eternity,  and  leave  with  God  the 
concerns  of  time.  Leave  in  his  hands  the  safety  of  his 
church,  and  the  security  of  his  cause.  Cleave  to  him 
with  childlike  simplicity.  Seek  his  glory.  Aim  at  per- 
fection. Look  high,  and  look  forward  ;  and  soon  thou 
shalt  be  removed  out  of  the  reach  of  evil,  and  be  placed 
securely  in  the  paradise  above. 

In  times  which  are  gloomy  and  sad, 
When  nations  are  trembling  with  fears, 

The  Christian,  in  confidence  clad, 
Serene  amidst  dangers  appears. 

He  knows  that  the  black  low'ring  sky, 

"Whose  bosom  destruction  contains, 
In  a  moment  will  vanish  and  fly, 

When  God  his  dread  vengeance  restrains. 

In  him,  whom  archangels  adore, 

In  him,  whom  the  cherubs  obey, 
Whilst  thunders  tremendously  roar, 

He  trusts  without  fear  and  dismay. 

'Tis  Jesus  who  reigns  in  his  heart, 

Whilst  Satan  is  raging  around ; 
'Tis  faith  quenches  every  dart, 

As  pointless  they  fall  to  the  ground. 

The  peace  he  enjoys  in  his  breast, 

Descends  from  a  reconciled  God  : 
Whilst  sinners,  those  strangers  to  rest, 

Groan  under  the  stroke  of  his  rod. 

When  troubles  invade  and  oppress, 

When  death  tears  his  comforts  away 
He  still,  in  the  midst  of  distress, 

Has  God  for  his  comfort  and  stay. 


7C  TWO  COVENANTS. 

Thrice  blessed,  thou  saint  of  the  Lord ; 

In  Jesus  thy  refuge  is  found  ; 
Oh !  trust  to  his  promise  and  word, 

And  joys  shall  increase  and  abound. 

Yes !  joy  shall  increase  like  a  stream ; 

Thy  peace,  like  the  waves  of  the  sea ; 
Thy  grace  into  glory  shall  beam ; 

And  Jesus  thy  portion  shall  be. 


XII. ON    THE    TWO    COVENANTS. 

The  covenant  of  works,  in  the  order  of  time,  was  pro- 
claimed to  Adam  before  the  covenant  of  grace.  But 
the  covenant  of  grace,  called  in  Scripture  the  everlast- 
ing covenant,  was  entered  into  by  the  divine  persons  in 
the  Godhead,  before  the  world  was  made. 

Whilst  contemplating  this  dispensation  of  mercy,  our 
views  must  stretch  themselves  into  eternity.  We  must 
pass  beyond  the  origin  of  earth,  and  enter  into  those 
revelations  which  record  the  purposes  of  God  ere  time 
began.  And  how  wonderful  are  the  counsels  of  infinite 
love,  wisdom,  and  power  ! 

Jesus,  in  the  volume  of  inspired  truth,  is  declared  to 
be  "  the  Lamb  of  God,  who  was  foreordained  before  the 
foundation  of  the  world,"  1  Peter  i,  20.  "  Slain  from  the 
foundation  of  the  world,"  Rev.  xiii,  8.  His  redeemed 
ones  were  "  chosen  in  him  before  the  foundation  of  the 
world,"  Ephes.  i,  4.  "  From  the  beginning  chosen  to  sal- 
vation," 2  Thess.  ii,  13.  "According  to  his  own  pur- 
pose and  grace,  which  was  given  them  in  Christ  Jesus 
before  the  world  began"  2  Tim.  i,  9.  "  Elect  according 
to  the  foreknowledge  of  God  the  Father,"  1  Peter  i,  2. 
"  Predestinated  according  to   the  purpose  of  him  who 


TWO  COVENANTS.  71 

worketh  all  things  after  the  counsel  of  his  own  will," 
Ephes.  i,  11. 

From  these  glorious  passages,  and  many  others  of 
similar  import,  it  is  evident  that  the  whole  economy  of 
human  redemption  was  devised  and  planned  in  the  eter- 
nal counsels  of  Jehovah  before  the  earth  or  man  was 
formed.  Hence  we  are  taught  that  the  covenant  of 
grace  originated  in  the  everlasting  love  of  God.  But 
with  respect  to  us  finite  creatures,  who  can  know 
nothing  of  the  purposes  of  God,  but  as  he  is  pleased  to 
reveal  them,  it  may  aptly  be  called  a  New  Covenant. 

When  Adam  was  created  in  the  image  of  God,  the 
Lord  placed  him  in  a  garden  of  delights,  surrounded 
with  every  thing  that  could  gratify  his  pure  and  inno- 
cent desires.  In  the  midst,  however,  of  this  garden, 
was  placed  the  tree  of  knowledge  of  good  and  evil,  as  a 
reasonable  test  of  his  obedience  ;  for  God  created  man  in 
righteousness  and  true  holiness,  with  powers  and  facul- 
ties to  know  and  serve  him.  In  the  garden  was  also 
placed  the  tree  of  life,  as  a  pledge  of  immortality.  Of 
this  tree  he  might  freely  eat,  whilst  he  continued  obedi- 
ent to  the  divine  command.  But  man,  alas  !  ate  of  the 
forbidden  fruit  through  the  subtle  temptations  of  the 
serpent,  and  thus  the  covenant  of  works  was  broken,  and 
death  entered  into  the  world  by  sin. 

His  whole  posterity  are  involved  in  the  dreadful  con- 
sequences of  the  fall ;  for  the  Scriptures  declare,  "  In 
Adam  all  die."  All  die  spiritually ;  for  "we  are  con- 
ceived in  sin,  and  brought  forth  in  iniquity."  "  We  are 
by  nature  the  children  of  wrath." 

All  die  naturally.  The  sentence,  "  Dust  thou  art,  and 
unto  dust  thou  shalt  return,"  extends  to  all  the  children 
of  Adam.  "  It  is  appointed  unto  men  once  to  die." 
"By  man  came  death."  "Death  passed  upon  all  men, 
for  that  all  have  sinned." 


72  TWO  COVENANTS. 

All  die  eternally,  if  left  in  righteous  judgment  to  the 
awful  consequences  of  transgression  :  "  the  wicked  shall 
be  turned  into  hell,  and  all  the  nations  that  forget 
God."  "  The  soul  that  sinneth,  it  shall  die."  "  He  that 
believeth  not,  shall  be  damned." 

In  this  wretched,  lost,  and  sinful  condition,  when  he 
was  without  strength  and  without  hope,  Adam  heard 
the  voice  of  mercy.  The  seed  of  the  woman  was 
proclaimed  and  promised. 

Jehovah  spake  the  word  of  life,  at  the  very  moment 
when  justice  was  lifting  up  the  sword  of  vengeance,  as 
if  determined  to  magnify  his  mercy  above  all  his  name. 

Oh  what  encouragement  is  this  to  trust  in  him,  whose 
love  outstripped  his  justice,  or  rather  provided  a  satis- 
faction to  it,  that  mercy  might  have  free  course,  and  be 
glorified  in  the  salvation  of  a  ruined  world  ! 

The  new  covenant  was  then  made  known  :  new  to 
Adam;  and  (may  we  not  hope?)  more  delightful  to  his 
guilty,  trembling  soul,  than  all  the  sweet  harmony  of 
birds  which  had  regaled  his  ear  in  the  lovely  groves  of 
Eden. 

At  the  voice  of  pardoning  grace,  hope  revives,  love 
rekindles,  and  joyful  admiration  holds  the  mind  in  won- 
dering meditation  on  the  goodness  of  our  justly  offended 
Creator. 

The  covenant  of  works  made  with  Adam  being  broken, 
all  hope  of  happiness  from  that  covenant  is  done  away 
for  ever.  But  the  covenant  of  grace  made  with  Christ, 
the  second  Adam,  is  immutable  and  everlasting. 

Jesus,  in  our  nature,  fulfilled  all  the  conditions,  per- 
formed all  the  requirements,  and  answered  all  the  de- 
mands of  the  broken  covenant  of  works.  By  his  unsin- 
ning  obedience  and  meritorious  death,  he  brought  in 
everlasting  righteousness  ;  and  thus  became  the  author 
of  eternal  salvation  to  all  them  that  obey  him.     So  that 


TWO    COVENANTS.  73 

now,  all  the  blessings  of  the  covenant  of  grace  are  made 
over  to  every  fallen  son  and  daughter  of  Adam  who 
truly  believes  in  Jesus. 

Here,  then,  is  the  spring  of  the  believer's  hope,  and 
peace,  and  joy.  Here  he  finds  security  and  stability. 
Here  he  reposes  his  soul,  and  smiles  at  every  storm. 
Oh  how  rich,  how  full,  how  sovereign  is  the  covenant 
of  grace  !  This  covenant,  as  we  have  seen  from  the 
pages  of  eternal  truth,  was  made  before  the  world  be- 
gan— made  from  eternity.  What  a  wide  expanse  for  the 
mind  to  range  in  ! 

But  we  need  a  guide,  or  else  our  minds  will  soon  be  lost 
in  wandering  mazes  and  dangerous  speculations.  This 
guide  is  the  Bible,  read  with  prayer  in  a  spirit  of  humil- 
ity and  faith,  under  the  teaching  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Where  the  line  of  revelation  stops,  there  we  must 
stop ;  or  rather,  where  it  enters  into  the  unfathomable 
depths  of  eternal  wisdom,  there  we  must  pause,  and 
wonder,  and  adore.  We  must  not  dare  to  tread  within 
the  veil,  or  curiously  to  pry  into  those  hidden  myste- 
ries, which  God  has  wisely  concealed  from  mortal  eyes. 
"  Thou  knowest  not  now,  but  thou  shalt  know  here- 
after," will  compose  and  satisfy  every  humble,  loving, 
obedient,  grateful  follower  of  the  Lamb. 

What  personally  concerns  every  believer  is  this  :  have 
I  the  spirit  and  character  of  those  who  are  interested  in 
the  covenant  of  grace  ?  If  not,  what  will  all  its  glories 
and  blessings  avail  me  1  I  shall  only  resemble  a  person 
looking  over  the  title-deeds  of  a  vast  estate,  in  which 
he  hath  no  interest. 

How  plain  and  express  is  the  word  of  God,  in  de- 
scribing the  character  of  the  redeemed  !  Here  is  no 
ambiguity — no  darkness — no  mystery.  It  is  a  faithful 
mirror,  held  up  to  all  mankind.  Happy  indeed  are 
they,  who  beholding,  as  in  a  glass,  the  glory  of  the 

7 


74  TWO    COVENANTS. 

Lord,  are  changed  into  the  same  image,  from  glory  to 
glory,  even  as  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord ! 

The  character  of  God's  peculiar  people  is  thus  por- 
trayed by  the  pen  of  unerring  truth  : — 

They  are  "  chosen  in  Christ,  that  they  should  be  holy 
and  without  blame  before  him  in  love." — "  Chosen  to  salva- 
tion, through  sanctification  of  the  Spirit,  and  belief  of  the 
truth." — "  They  are  saved,  and  called  with  a  holy  calU 
ing,  not  according  to  their  works,  but  according  to  his 
own  purpose  and  grace." — "  They  are  elect  according 
to  the  foreknowledge  of  God,  through  sanctification  of  the 
Spirit,  unto  obedience  and  sprinkling  of  the  blood  of 
Jesus  Christ." — "  They  are  predestinated  unto  the  adop- 
tion of  children." — "  Predestinated  to  be  conformed  to  the 
image  of  his  Son." — "  Created  in  Christ  Jesus  unto  good 
works,  which  God  hath  foreordained  that  they  should 
walk  in  them." — "  They  are  a  chosen  generation,  a 
royal  priesthood,  a  holy  nation,  a  peculiar  people,  that 
they  should  show  forth  the  praises  of  him,  who  hath 
called  them  out  of  darkness  into  his  marvellous  light." 
— "  He  gave  himself  for  them,  that  he  might  redeem 
them  from  all  iniquity,  and  purify  unto  himself  a  pecu- 
liar people  zealous  of  good  works." 

Such  is  the  spirit  and  character  of  those  happy  souls 
who  have  fled  for  refuge,  to  lay  hold  upon  the  hope  set 
before  them  in  the  Gospel :  the  character  of  all  who  truly 
believe  in  Jesus.  To  them  all  the  promises  of  God  in 
Christ  Jesus  are  yea  and  amen  ;  sure  and  abiding.  To 
them  the  most  affectionate  exhortations  are  addressed. 
"Put  on,  as  the  elect  of  God,  holy  and  beloved,  bowels 
of  mercies,  kindness,  humbleness  of  mind,  meekness, 
long-suffering ;  forbearing  one  another,  and  forgiving 
one  another :  if  any  man  have  a  quarrel  against  any, 
even  as  Christ  forgave  you,  so  also  do  ye." — "  Be  ye 
kind  one  to  another,  tender-hearted,  forgiving  one  an* 


TWO    COVENANTS.  75 

other,  even  as  God  for  Christ's  sake  hath  forgiven  you." 
— "  Be  ye  therefore  followers  of  God,  as  dear  children  ; 
and  walk  in  love,  as  Christ  also  hath  loved  us,  and  given  t 
himself  for  us,  an  offering  and  a  sacrifice  to  God,  for  a 
sweet-smelling  savor." — "  Let  the  peace  of  God  rule  in 
your  hearts." — "Put  on  charity" — and  "the  ornament 
of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit." — "  Be  clothed  with  humili- 
ty."— "  Love  not  the  world,  neither  the  things  which  are 
in  the  world." — "Seek  those  things  which  are  above." 
— "Set  your  affection  on  things  above." — "Let  your 
speech  be  alway  with  grnce." — "  Rejoice  evermore — 
pray  without  ceasing." — "Abstain  from  all  appearance 
of  evil."—"  Fight  the  good  fight  of  faith."—"  Be  faith- 
ful unto  death." 

These  beautiful  exhortations  contain  a  lively  portrait 
of  the  true  believer.  How  different  from  the  worldling, 
the  nominal  Christian,  the  cold-hearted  adherer  to  the 
Gospel,  the  double-minded  professor  !  Here,  all  is  life 
and  energy.  Here,  all  is  spirit,  unction,  and  power. 
Here,  we  see  "  the  workmanship  of  God" — "  the  new 
creation  in  Christ  Jesus." 

Where  these  lineaments  are  found,  there  grace  is  be- 
gun ;  where  they  are  wanting,  all  pretensions  to  religion, 
all  hope  of  final  salvation,  all  self-appropriation  of  the 
promises,  is  delusion — a  device  of  Satan,  to  lull  the  soul 
to  sleep  on  the  lap  of  carnal  security,  till  it  drop  into  the 
flames  of  hell.  Lord,  open  thou  mine  eyes,  that  I  may 
see  wondrous  things  out  of  thy  law.  Change  my  heart 
by  the  powerful  influence  of  thy  Holy  Spirit.  Fill  my 
soul  with  humility,  love,  and  purity.  May  Christ  be 
formed  in  me  the  hope  of  glory.  May  Christ  dwell  in 
my  heart  by  faith.  May  love  and  every  grace  abound 
within  me,  till  I  am  brought  by  sovereign  mercy  to  the 
general  assembly  of  the  church  of  the  first-born,  whose 
names  are  written  in  heaven. 


76  LOVE    OF    GOD. 

How  free  the  love,  how  rich  the  grace, 
A  pard'ning  God  bestows ; 

To  Adam's  vile  apostate  race 
In  boundless  streams  it  flows. 

What  joy  arises  in  the  heart 
When  Jesus'  cross  appears — 

Salvation  to  my  soul  impart, 
Subdue  my  guilty  fears. 

Bless'd  Saviour,  speak  the  healing  word, 
Bid  all  my  sorrows  cease ; 

Be  thou  my  great  atoning  Lord, 
My  righteousness  and  peace. 

Oh,  let  thy  precious  blood  divine 
Wash  all  my  sins  away ! 

Then  will  my  soul  resplendent  shine, 
Through  heaven's  eternal  day. 


XIII. ON    THE    LOVE    OF    GOD. 

"  God  is  love !"  sweet  truth  !  Oh  my  soul  !  rejoice 
daily  in  this  blessed  revelation,  "  God  is  love." 

Before  all  worlds,  before  any  being  was  formed,  "  God 
is  love" — love,  eternal  and  unchangeable.  He  is  the 
same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever.     He  is  love. 

How  inconceivably  great  is  the  love  of  God !  All 
worlds  rolling  in  the  infinite  expanse  ;  all  beings  inhab- 
iting those  innumerable  spheres,  which  extend  far  be- 
yond the  boundaries  of  the  most  excursive  imagination ; 
all  the  myriads  of  angelic  spirits,  which  dwell  for  ever 
in  the  bright  effulgence  of  uncreated  light,  are  only  the 
overflowings  of  that  love,  which  is  inexhaustible. 

The  immense  fountain  loses  not  one  drop,  though 
countless  millions  are  filled  by  its  streams.     It  is  ever 


LOVE    OP    GOD.  77 

flowing,  ever  full.  Lord,  thou  art  love.  Oh,  fill  my 
soul  with  thy  love  !  Thou  canst  not  he  diminished,  and 
I  shall  be  made  everlastingly  blessed. 

When  the  Almighty  created  the  angels  in  heaven, 
and  man  in  paradise,  he  endued  them  with  powers  suit- 
ed to  their  distinctive  degrees  of  excellence.  Both  were 
formed  holy,  and  consequently  happy.  All  nature  pro- 
claims the  benevolence  of  the  deity  ;  the  unbounded 
goodness  of  Jehovah. 

The  moral  law  emanated  from  the  love  of  God.  This 
law  was  stamped  upon  the  heart  of  Adam,  when  in  a 
state  of  innocence.  It  is  a  transcript  of  the  divine  mind ; 
hoty,  just,  and  good. 

When  man  sinned,  he  broke  the  law  of  God.  He  fell 
under  its  curse.  To  redeem  him  from  this  wretched 
state,  Jesus,  the  Son  of  God,  assumed  our  mortal  nature, 
expiated  our  guilt,  and  brought  in  an  everlasting  right- 
eousness. He  burst  the  bars  of  death.  He  ascended 
up  on  high  ;  and  reigns  the  sovereign  Lord  of  angels 
and  of  men. 

When  the  "royal  law"  of  love  was  broken  in  para- 
dise, how  soon  did  Adam's  first-born  imbrue  his  hand  in 
a  brother's  blood  !  Violence  overspread  the  earth  with 
awful  rapidity  ;  till  God,  in  righteous  judgment,  swept 
the  guilty  rebels  from  the  earth,  by  a  tremendous  flood 
of  waters. 

Every  succeeding  age  has  been  marked  by  miseries 
of  every  name,  all  flowing  from  one  common  source — 
an  evil  heart  of  unbelief.  Sin  is  the  cause  of  misery, 
and  sin  originates  with  man. 

If  it  be  asked,  what  is  the  true  cause  of  man's  inabil- 
ity to  love  and  serve  God,  may  we  not  answer,  a  criminal 
indisposition  of  heart  so  to  do?  It  is  not  that  man  cannot 
love  God,  from  a  natural  incapacity,  arising  from  a  total 
destitution  of  understanding,  will,  and  affections ;   but 

7* 


78  LOVE    OF    GOD. 

rather  that  he  will  not,  owing  to  a  deep-rooted  enmity 
against  the  holy  character  and  commands  of  God. 

This  aversion  of  the  heart  from  God,  constitutes  the 
chief  guilt  of  man.  Man  is  a  responsible  being,  and 
must  render  an  account  to  God,  from  whom  he  receives 
all  his  powers,  for  the  abuse  of  those  talents  committed 
to  his  trust.  He  can  love  the  world ;  he  can  love  sen- 
sual delights ;  he  can  love  riches  and  honors,  yea,  every 
thing  which  tends  to  gratify  his  passions,  and  to  exalt 
him  in  his  own  eyes,  or  in  the  estimation  of  others.  He 
has  a  will  to  choose  what  is  pleasing  to  his  animal  ap- 
petites, and  to  refuse  what  is  painful  or  distasteful  to 
him.  He  has  an  understanding  to  judge  upon  worldly 
matters  ;  and  a  quick  eye  to  discover  the  path  to  tem- 
poral advancement.  He  finds  his  hopes  and  fears,  his 
joys  and  griefs,  his  love  and  hatred,  brought  into  con- 
tinual exercise  with  the  ever-varying  events  of  life. 

Hence  man  does  not  labor  under  a  natural  incapacity 
His  inability  is  altogether  of  a  moral  kind.  Sin  has 
darkened  and  corrupted  all  the  higher  faculties  of  the 
soul ;  so  that  now  "  the  world  by  wisdom  knows  not 
God." — "  Men  choose  darkness  rather  than  light,  be- 
cause their  deeds  are  evil ;"  for  "  the  carnal  mind  is 
enmity  against  God." 

This  wrong  state  of  the  heart,  this  evil  bias  of  the 
soul,  this  radical  corruption  of  our  nature,  is  universal. 
It  spreads  itself  through  the  whole  human  race,  with- 
out exception ;  for  all  are  born  in  sin ;  all  are  by  nature 
the  children  of  wrath,  and  the  heirs  of  hell. 

So  powerful  is  this  innate  evil,  this  natural  indisposed- 
ness  of  the  heart  towards  God,  that  neither  reason,  con- 
science, nor  philosophy  can  remove  it. 

God  alone  can  turn  the  heart  of  the  sinner  to  him- 
self. The  language  of  divine  revelation  is,  "thou  hast 
destroyed  thyself,  but  in  me  is  thine  help." 


LOVE    OF    GOD.  79 

While,  therefore,  in  deepest  self-abasement  we  bear 
the  burden  of  our  guilt,  and  acknowledge  that  we  have 
destroyed  ourselves;  we  must  ascribe  all  the  glory  of  our 
salvation  to  omnipotent  love,  in  whom  our  help  is  found, 
and  say,  with  the  grateful  Psalmist,  "  Not  unto  us,  Oh 
Lord,  not  unto  us,  but  unto  thy  name  give  the  glory,  for 
thy  mercy  and  for  thy  truth's  sake." 

The  whole  human  race  must  soon  stand  before  the 
judgment-seat  of  Christ.  No  plea  will  then  be  accepted 
in  arrest  of  judgment.  In  that  awful  day,  every  mouth 
shall  be  stopped,  and  all  the  world  will  become  guilty 
before  God  :  "  for  whatsoever  a  man  soweth,  that  shall 
he  also  reap." 

From  this  view  of  our  fallen  state,  we  may  scriptu- 
rally  conclude,  that  sinners,  if  left  to  themselves,  would 
never  turn  to  God.  And  hence  we  see  the  blessedness 
and  necessity  of  that  grace  which  turneth  us  from  dark- 
ness unto  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God. 

It  is  a  true  saying  of  St.  Augustine,  that  without  free 
will  there  could  be  no  condemnation ;  and  without  free 
grace  there  could  be  no  salvation. 

But  the  voice  of  sovereign  love  declares  to  the  great 
Melchisedec,  "  thy  people  shall  be  willing  in  the  day  of 
thy  power  ;"  Ps.  ex. 

Here  is  set  forth  the  power  of  God ;  the  persons  on 
whom  that  power  is  exerted  ;  and  the  blessed  effects  of 
it  upon  their  souls.  This  power  is  the  power  of  God 
unto  salvation.  When  he  works,  who  can  let  it  1  It  is 
convincing  power,  converting  power,  sustaining  power. 
Oh  that  this  divine  power,  this  energy  of  love,  may 
be  felt  in  every  soul !     Lord,  may  I  feel  it  in  mine. 

But  on  whom  is  this  power  exerted] 

When  we  view  the  whole  human  race  sunk  in  sin  and 
misery,  in  a  state  of  open  rebellion  against  the  majesty 
of  heaven,  where  shall  we  find  "  his  people  ?"     The  very 


80  LOVE    OF    GOD. 

words,  "they  shall  be  willing,"  imply  that  they  were 
not  always  so.  Prior  to  this  great  change,  they  "  were 
enemies  in  their  minds  by  wicked  works." 

They  are  "his  people"  in  purpose  and  grace  ;  chosen 
in  Christ  before  the  foundation  of  the  world,  that  they 
should  be  holy  and  without  blame  before  him  in  love  ; 
predestinated  to  be  conformed  to  the  image  of  his  Son. 

When  Paul  was  at  Corinth,  the  Lord  appeared  to  his 
persecuted  servant,  and  said,  "Be  not  afraid,  but  speak  ; 
hold  not  thy  peace  :  for  I  am  with  thee,  and  no  man 
shall  set  on  thee  to  hurt  thee,  for  I  have  much  people 
in  this  city." 

Oh  !  that  my  proud  heart  could  submit  to  receive  sal- 
vation as  the  free  gift  of  unmerited  mercy !  Lord,  make 
me  willing  in  the  day  of  thy  power,  to  yield  myself  unto 
thee,  a  living  sacrifice,  as  my  most  reasonable  service. 

We  see  what  is  the  effect  produced  by  this  power  on 
the  minds  of  "his  people." — "They  shall  be  willing" — 
willing  to  receive  Christ — willing  to  suffer  for  Christ — 
willing  to  give  up  all  for  Christ.  This  change  in  their 
will  is  not  effected  by  any  natural  effort  of  their  own,  or 
by  the  moral  suasion  of  others ;  but  solely  by  the  power 
of  God,  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  Gospel. 

"  I  am  not  ashamed  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ,"  wrote 
the  apostle  to  the  Romans,  "  for  it  is  the  power  of  God 
unto  salvation  to  every  one  that  believeth."  Those  fa- 
vored souls,  who  are  thus  made  willing  in  the  day  of 
God's  power,  are  not  compelled  by  an  unwelcome  force  to 
embrace  salvation ;  but  are  sweetly  and  lovingly  in- 
clined, through  the  soft  influences  of  heavenly  grace, 
to  choose,  delight  in,  and  appreciate  the  work  and  ser- 
vice of  Emanuel.  They  are  made  willing.  Their  whole 
heart  goes  forth  towards  the  Saviour,  as  when  Jesus  said 
to  Levi  at  the  receipt  of  custom,  "  Follow  me."  They 
love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity.     They  embrace 


LOVE    OF    GOD.  81 

him  as  their  only  Saviour — his  precepts  as  their  only 
rule — liis  promises  as  their  only  support — his  cross  as 
their  only  glory — his  righteousness  as  their  only  boast 
— his  people  as  their  only  friends — his  heaven  as  their 
only  home.  Oh  what  a  change  !  Lord,  may  I  long, 
and  pant,  and  labor  after  this  blessedness.  Stir  up  my 
soul  to  seek  it  more  and  more. 

I  have  here  an  evidence  to  judge  of  my  own  charac- 
ter. "  Thy  people  shall  be  willing."  If,  then,  I  belong 
to  this  happy  number,  I  must  be  willing  to  be  saved  on 
God's  terms ;  to  delight  in  his  salvation,  to  choose  his 
ways.  Do  I  feel  my  will  subdued,  and  cheerfully  in- 
clined to  embrace,  in  humble  faith,  the  whole  revelation 
of  mercy,  as  made  known  to  me  through  a  crucified 
Jesus  1  Lord,  put  forth  thy  mighty  grace.  Let  this 
very  day  be  the  day  of  thy  power.  To-morrow  may  find 
me  in  the  world  of  spirits.  Oh  may  I  now  be  willing  to 
be  wholly  thine  ;  that  every  succeeding  hour  may  only 
increase  my  willingness  to  do  and  suffer  thy  whole 
righteous  will  ! 

How  different  is  earth  to  heaven  !  Here,  an  awful 
disinclination  of  heart  to  love  God  is  discoverable  in  all 
the  fallen  children  of  Adam.  Even  the  regenerate  feel 
with  grief  this  hated  deadness  of  soul  to  God.  "  My 
soul  cleaveth  unto  the  dust,"  was  the  lamentation — 
"quicken  thou  me,  according  to  thy  word,"  was  the 
fervent  prayer  of  David. 

In  heaven,  all  is  governed  by  the  sweet  constraining 
principle  of  pure,  undivided  love.  Were  a  soul  to  leave 
this  world  under  the  influence  of  alienated  affections, 
how  could  such  a  soul  be  either  meet  for,  or  happy  in, 
that  blessed  place,  where  every  note  is  harmony,  and 
every  heart  is  love  ? 

Reason,  even  in  its  present  beclouded  state,  must  see 
the  unfitness  of  such  a  soul  for  glory  ;  when  that  glory 


S2  LOVE  OF  GOD. 

consists  iii  loving  God  with  a  supreme  affection,  and 
being  made  like  him  in  all  his  communicable  perfec- 
tions. 

How  great,  then,  is  the  happiness  of  loving  and  serv- 
ing God,  whilst  journeying  through  this  vale  of  tears  ! 
This  is  the  sweet  peculiarity  of  the  religion  of  Jesus.  It 
diffuses  joy  and  gladness  wherever  it  is  received  in  the 
simplicity  of  faith.  "  God  is  love  ;  and  every  one  that 
loveth  is  born  of  God,  and  knoweth  God."  To  love 
God,  and  to  be  the  object  of  his  love,  constitute  the 
bliss  of  angels.     The  opposite  of  this  is  hell. 

What  poor  miserable  creatures  we  are,  whilst  in  a 
state  of  nature,  and  under  the  power  of  sin  and  Satan ! 
We  smile,  when  we  should  sigh.  We  laugh,  when  we 
should  mourn.  We  appear  gay  and  sprightly,  when  we 
should  be  of  a  sorrowful  spirit.  But,  Oh  the  blessed 
change  which  takes  place  when  the  Gospel  comes  to  the 
heart,  not  in  word  only,  but  in  power  !  Then  we  receive 
beauty  for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  and  the 
garment  of  praise  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness.  Then  we 
are  privileged  to  rejoice  alway,  and  to  delight  ourselves 
in  the  abundance  of  peace.  Oh  happy,  blissful  state  ! 
thus  to  be  the  genuine  disciples  of  the  blessed  Jesus,  who 
hath  assured  his  faithful  people  that  he  will  manifest 
himself  to  them,  as  he  does  not  unto  the  world ;  yea, 
even  come  unto  them,  and  make  his  abode  with  them. 
Who  can  contemplate  these  wonders  of  grace,  and  not 
feel  the  holy  influence  of  this  precious  revelation — "God 
is  love  ]"  Surely  none  but  they  who  know  not  God;  for 
thus  saith  the  apostle,  "  He  that  loveth  not,  knoweth 
not  God  ;  for  God  is  love." 

Thou  trembling  saint,  cast  off  thy  fear, 

Thy  mourning  garments  lay  aside  j 
'Tis  Jesus  speaks  :  "  Be  of  good  cheer, 

My  love,  my  sister,  and  my  bride." 


GIFT  OF  A  SAVIOUR.  83 

Oh  listen  to  the  voice  of  love ! 

Its  gentle  accents  whisper  peace  ; 
The  Saviour,  from  his  throne  above, 

Delights  to  view  thy  joys  increase. 

Bless'd  Jesus  !  cheer  each  drooping  heart ; 

"  As  corn  revive"  each  fainting  soul ; 
Thy  presence,  gracious  Lord,  impart ; 

Oh  make  each  wounded  sinner  whole ! 

Then  shall  thy  church  more  beauteous  grow, 

"As  lilies"  in  Judea's  vale  ; 
Like  wid'ning  streams  "  her  peace  shall  flow," 

Whose  "  springs  in  thee"  can  never  fail. 

Ye  trembling  saints,  no  longer  fear, 

Your  mourning  garments  lay  aside ; 
Since  Jesus  is  for  ever  near, 

The  church's  husband  and  her  guide. 


XIV. ON  THE  GIFT  OF  A  SAVIOUR. 

Before  the  earth  was  formed,  or  man  created  upon 
it,  the  Almighty  foreknew  that  his  moral  creatures 
would  apostatize  from  him.  The  angels  had  already- 
sinned,  and  were  cast  into  the  place  prepared  for  them. 
They  were  doomed,  in  righteous  judgment,  to  be  the 
eternal  monuments  of  divine  indignation. 

A  just,  yet  infinitely  gracious  sovereign,  did  not 
determine  to  leave  man  under  the  same  hopeless  con- 
demnation. 

The  revelation  is  truly  wonderful.  Jesus  Christ,  the 
eternal  Son  of  God,  "God  over  all,  blessed  for  evermore," 
was  foreordained  in  the  councils  of  heaven  to  be  a 
sacrifice — a  propitiation — an  atonement  for  the  sins  of 
apostate  man. 


84  GIFT  OF  A  SAVIOUR. 

As  "  all  things  were  made  by  him,"  so  all  things  were 
made  "for  him."  Earth  was  to  be  the  theatre  on  which 
should  be  displayed  the  mercy  and  justice  of  Jehovah. 

The  glorious  plan  was  gradually  unfolded  through 
succeeding  ages.  The  bleeding  lamb  was  instituted  as 
the  appointed  emblem  of  the  Saviour  of  the  world. 
When  offered  up  in  faith,  in  humble  reliance  on  the 
divine  mercy,  and  with  a  contrite  heart,  the  believing 
suppliant,  thus  approaching  the  mercy-seat  through  the 
bleeding  victim,  found  pardon  and  peace. 

In  this  way,  the  ancient  believers  obtained  rest  unto 
their  souls.     They  trusted  in  God,  and  were  not  con 
founded. 

The  prophets  depicted  in  glowing  colors  the  glories 
of  Emanuel,  whilst  they  blended  the  deepened  shades 
of  his  amazing  humiliation  with  the  resplendent  lustre 
of  his  divine  nature.  When  the  "  fulness  of  time"  was 
come,  how  grand  to  the  eye  of  saints  and  angels  was 
the  entrance  of  the  Messiah  into  our  world  ! 

The  angel  Gabriel  was  commissioned  to  convey  the 
glad  tidings  to  Zacharias,  that  he  should  be  the  father 
of  him  whom  Isaiah  and  Malachi  had  predicted  as 
"  the  voice," — "  the  messenger,"  who  should  prepare  the 
way  of  the  Lord. 

He  was  then  sent  with  joyful  news  to  the  humble 
virgin  at  Nazareth ;  announcing  to  her  that  she  should 
be  the  highly  favored  mother  of  the  Messiah,  of  whose 
kingdom  there  should  be  no  end.  The  tender  fears  of 
Joseph  were  next  dispelled  by  a  dream,  in  which  he 
was  assured  that  he  who  should  be  born  of  Mary,  his 
espoused  wife,  was  no  less  than  the  Son  of  God,  who 
should  save  his  people  from  their  sins. 

The  emperor  Augustus  was  made  the  instrument, 
though  unconsciously,  of  bringing  the  virgin  mother  to 
Bethlehem  j  thus  fulfilling  the  prophetic  declaration  of 


GIFT    OF    A    SAVIOUR.  $5 

Micah,  and  establishing"  the  truth  of  the  descent  of  Jesus 
in  the  line  of  David,  by  a  public  enrolment. 

When  born  in  the  city  of  David,  the  infant  Saviour 
was  announced  by  the  angel  of  the  Lord  to  the  humble 
shepherds  of  Judea,  who  were  keeping  watch  over  their 
flocks  by  night ;  whilst  the  angelic  host  sang,  in  exult- 
ing strains,  "Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  and  on  earth 
peace,  good-will  towards  men." 

In  the  temple,  during  the  ceremony  of  Mary's  puri- 
fication, and  the  dedication  of  her  Son  to  the  Lord, 
Simeon  took  the  blessed  child  in  his  arms,  and  declared 
him  to  be  "a  light  to  lighten  the  Gentiles,  and  the 
glory  of  his  people  Israel ;"  while  Anna,  the  prophetess, 
spake  of  him  to  all  them  that  looked  for  redemption  in 
Jerusalem. 

When  returned  to  Bethlehem,  the  divinely  directed 
Magi  of  the  east  came  to  pay  their  homage  to  the  infant 
King,  presenting  to  him  gifts — gold,  frankincense,  and 
myrrh. 

Herod  and  all  Jerusalem  were  troubled,  whilst  saints 
and  angels  were  rejoicing,  at  the  birth  of  the  long-ex- 
pected deliverer. 

When  John  entered  upon  his  prophetic  office,  he  bore 
witness  to  the  dignity  of  the  Messiah  ;  and  pointed  to 
Jesus,  as  the  Lamb  of  God,  who  taketh  away  the  sin  of 
the  world. 

The  Father  himself  testified  of  his  Son  ;  for  Jesus, 
when  he  was  baptized,  went  up  straightway  out  of  the 
water  :  and  lo  !  the  heavens  were  opened  unto  him,  and 
the  Spirit  of  God,  descending  like  a  dove,  lighted  upon 
him  ;  and  lo !  a  voice  from  heaven  said,  "  this  is  my 
beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased." 

The  blessed  Jesus,  when  he  made  himself  public  to 
the  world,  astonished  the  thronging  crowds  by  his  stu- 
pendous, yet  beneficent  miracles  ;  by  his  heavenly  wis- 

8 


86  GIFT    OF    A    SAVIOUR. 

dom  ;  by  his  holy  example ;  by  his  unwearied  labors  to 
do  good. 

The  worldly,  the  proud,  and  the  self-righteous,  could 
not  endure  the  light  of  his  doctrine,  and  the  keenness 
of  his  reproof.  Hence  they  conspired  against  him,  how- 
ever discordant  were  their  peculiar  views  and  practices. 

Herod  and  the  high  priest — Pilate  and  the  Scribes — 
Sadducees  and  Pharisees — heathens,  and  the  professed 
worshippers  of  Jehovah, — all  suffered  their  national 
antipathies  and  religious  differences  to  merge  into  one 
common  cause  against  the  Lord  and  against  his  anoint- 
ed. Herod,  from  jealousy ;  the  chief  priests  and  Scribes, 
from  envy  ;  Pilate,  from  slavish  fear  ;  and  the  common 
people,  from  popular  feeling  excited  by  their  rulers,  con- 
spired the  death  of  Jesus,  whose  meekness  and  inno- 
cence, contrasted  with  the  rage  of  his  bloody  enemies, 
shone  like  the  arch  of  heaven  on  the  angry  cloud. 

He  died  praying  for  his  murderers.  He  died  a  sacri- 
fice for  their  sins.  He  died,  a  sacrifice  for  the  sins  of  a 
lost  world.  Amazing  love  !  Oh  my  soul,  look  to  this 
precious,  bleeding  Saviour  ;  trust  in  him  for  thy  whole 
salvation ;  rejoice  in  his  grace,  and  adore  that  wisdom 
that  could  overrule  so  much  wickedness,  to  produce  so 
much  good  ! 

How  awful  the  period  ! 

The  sun  was  darkened  ;  the  rocks  rent ;  the  veil  of 
the  temple  was  rent  in  twain  ;  the  graves  were  opened  ; 
and  many  bodies  of  the  saints  which  slept,  arose,  and 
appeared  in  the  holy  city  after  his  resurrection. 

On  the  third  day,  the  conquering  Saviour  rose  tri- 
umphant from  the  dead  ;  appeared  to  his  weeping  fol- 
lowers ;  ascended  into  heaven  in  their  sight ;  and  soon 
aftei  his  session  at  the  right  hand  of  power,  poured  out 
upon  his  infant  church  that  great  promise  of  the  Father 
— the  Holy  Ghost. 


GIFT    OF    A    SAVIOUR.  87 

How  wonderful  was  the  effect  of  this  heavenly  gift ! 

The  apostles,  once  illiterate,  now  spake  with  new 
tongues  ;  their  former  fears  were  lost  in  an  undaunted 
courage  ;  timidity  gave  place  to  zeal.  In  the  emphatic 
language  of  the  sacred  historian,  "  they  were  all  filled 
with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  spake  the  word  of  God  with 
boldness."  They  preached  Christ  in  the  face  of  danger 
and  of  death. 

Thousands,  through  their  labors,  were  turned  from 
Satan  unto  God.  Churches  were  planted  in  all  the 
known  countries  of  the  world  ;  and  at  length  they  seal- 
ed their  truth  with  their  blood,  counting  it  all  joy  to 
suffer  for  the  sake  of  their  beloved  Lord. 

Great  is  the  mystery  of  godliness — God  manifest  in 
the  flesh. 

That  the  Almighty  should  become  the  Saviour  of  his 
rebellious  creatures,  by  taking  upon  him  their  nature  : 
that  he,  who  rules  over  all  worlds,  should  stoop,  not  to 
be  a  mighty  monarch,  but  an  humble  carpenter  :  that  he, 
who  created  and  provided  the  foxes  and  the  birds  with 
holes  and  nests,  should  voluntarily  leave  himself  desti- 
tute of  a  place  where  to  lay  his  head :  that  lie,  who  is 
the  great  proprietor  of  all  things,  should  condescend  to 
be  supported  by  pious  females,  who  ministered  to  him 
of  their  substance  :  that  the  Fountain  of  felicity  should 
become  a  man  of  sorrows  and  acquainted  with  grief: 
that  the  Lord  of  glory  should  be  despised  and  rejected 
of  men  :  that  the  Judge  of  quick  and  dead  should  stand, 
like  a  criminal,  at  an  earthly  tribunal,  charged  with 
crimes  which  he  never  committed,  and  condemned  for 
transgressions  of  which  he  was  declared  innocent :  that 
the  Majesty  of  heaven  should  be  spit  upon,  scourged, 
and  crucified :  that  the  Lord  of  life  should  pour  out  his 
soul  unto  death :  this,  this  is  the  wonder  of  wonders — 
the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ, 


88  GIFT    OF    A    SAVIOUR. 

"  Not  to  be  thought  of,  but  with  tides  of  joy ; 
Not  to  be  mentioned,  but  with  shouts  of  praise." 

Well  may  Christ  be  styled  by  the  enraptured  prophet — 
«  Wonderful !" 

Men  are  naturally  fond  of  great  things,  and  yet  they 
feel  an  aversion  to  the  greatest  thing  in  the  world — the 

REDEMPTION    OF    THE    SOUL. 

This  would  be  inexplicable,  had  we  not  the  volume 
of  inspiration  to  unfold  to  us  the  hidden  reason. 

This  aversion  to  so  glorious  a  work  arises  from  the  state 
of  the  human  heart,  and  the  nature  of  redemption.  The 
heart  is  in  love  with  sin  ;  yea,  is  itself  desperately  wick- 
ed.    Sin  is  its  food ;  its  element ;  its  very  constitution. 

Salvation  by  Christ  is  a  deliverance  from  sin ;  a  reno- 
vation of  the  heart  to  holiness  ;  a  surrender  of  the  soul 
to  God.  Hence  arises  the  enmity.  Darkness  is  opposed 
to  light ;  and  Satan  reigning  in  the  sinner,  to  Christ  the 
Saviour  claiming  his  usurped  possession. 

This  enmity  is  universal,  and  proves  the  universality 
of  the  fall. 

Wherever  redemption  by  Christ  is  faithfully  preached, 
and  honestly  exhibited  in  the  life,  there  it  is  powerfully 
resisted  both  by  the  worldly  laity  and  mercenary  priests. 

As  the  bitterest  enemies  of  our  blessed  Lord  were  those 
who  wore  the  sacerdotal  vestments,  so  multitudes  of  the 
faithful  have,  in  all  ages,  been  devoured  by  wolves  in 
sheep's  clothing.  Lord  !  clothe  thy  ministers  with  right- 
eousness, that  thy  people  may  sing  with  joyfulness. 

None  can  receive  the  Gospel  in  the  love  and  power  of 
it,  but  those  who  are  enabled  by  sovereign  grace  so  to 
do.  All  others  lie  under  the  just  condemnation  of  wil- 
fully rejecting  it ;  and  shall  be  punished  for  such  rejec- 
tion. Men  may  cavil  at  such  a  statement  as  this,  and 
call  it  inconsistent ;  but  God  will,  ere  long,  vindicate  his 
own  cause. 


GIFT    OF    A    SAVIOUR.  89 

If  it  be  true,  that  "by  grace  we  are  saved,"  it  is 
equally  true,  that  "  this  is  the  condemnation,  that  light 
is  come  into  the  world;  and  that  men  love  darkness 
rather  than  light,  because  their  deeds  are  evil." 

This  great  redemption  is  by  price.  And  Oh  !  what  a 
price  !  the  precious  blood  of  Jesus,  the  Lamb  of  God. 
This  blood  cleanseth  from  all  sin  ;  satisfies  offended  Jus- 
tice ;  clears  away  the  obstacles  in  the  sinner's  path  to 
glorjr,  and  procures  pardon  and  peace,  and  the  gift  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.  "  He  made  peace  for  us,  by  the  blood  of 
his  cross." — "  We  have  redemption  through  his  blood, 
even  the  forgiveness  of  sins." 

This  redemption  is  by  power.  God,  the  Holy  Ghost, 
descends  into  the  sinner's  heart,  applies  the  healing 
balm  to  the  previously  smitten  conscience,  and,  by  his 
almighty  influence,  produces  the  new  birth,  the  new 
creation.  He  leads  the  trembling  sinner  to  the  bleed- 
ing sacrifice  ;  points  to  the  cross  ;  gives  saving  faith  ; 
causes  joy  to  spring  up  in  the  heart ;  and  thus  enables 
the  soul,  delivered  from  the  penalty  and  pollution  of  sin, 
"to  sing  in  the  ways  of  the  Lord,"  and  to  glorify  the 
rock  of  his  salvation. 

None  can  love  this  work  of  grace  but  the  subjects  of 
grace.  This  sadly  wounds  the  pride  of  man  ;  but  so  it 
is.  We  must  for  ever  stand  indebted  to  unmerited  love 
for  this  great  salvation.  All  boasting  is  here  excluded. 
He  that  glorieth,  must  glory  in  the  Lord.  The  language 
of  the  redeemed  is :  "in  the  Lord,  have  I  righteousness 
and  strength." 

Oh  !  that  I  may  now  put  the  crown  upon  the  head  of 
Jesus.  May  all  my  affections  centre  in  him.  To  him 
may  I  devote  every  power,  and  be  altogether  consecrated 
to  his  praise. 

Oh  !  my  soul,  for  ever  bless  thy  beloved  Lord,  for  thus 
becoming  thy  Redeemer      He  is  always  near  his  people 

8* 


90  GIFT    OF    A    SAVIOUR. 

to  support  and  comfort  them.  He  dwells  in  their  hearts 
by  faith.  He  abides  in  them  by  his  Spirit,  to  enlighten 
their  minds,  to  purify  their  hearts,  to  regulate  their  wills, 
to  direct  their  walk,  to  lead  them  in  the  paths  of  right- 
eousness, for  his  name's  sake. 

Thus  they  are  safe  and  happy  under  the  Shepherd's 
care. 

Their  union  with  their  divine  Lord  is  sweet  and  con- 
stant. They  "lean  upon  their  beloved,"  and  are  sup- 
ported through  the  wilderness.  They  are  made  strong 
by  his  strength  ;  wise  by  his  wisdom  ;  righteous  in  his 
righteousness  ;  holy  by  his  grace.  They  daily  receive 
out  of  his  fulness,  who  of  God  is  made  unto  them,  "wis- 
dom, righteousness,  sanctification,  and  redemption." 

Jesus  is  the  head  over  all  things  to  his  church.  All 
power  is  given  unto  him  in  heaven  and  in  earth.  As 
he  rules  over  all,  so  he  overrules  all  for  the  good  of  his 
people.  Hence  the  apostle  could  confidently  declare, 
"all  things  shall  work  together  for  good,  to  them  that  love 
God,  to  them  who  are  the  called  according  to  his  pur- 
pose." All  this  is  cheering  to  the  humble  followers  of 
the  Lamb.  Are  they  in  trouble  1  Jesus  appoints  it  for 
their  good.  Are  they  joyful  1  The  joy  of  the  Lord  is 
their  strength. 

Well  may  the  believer  triumphantly  exclaim  :  "  Who 
shall  separate  us  from  the  love  of  Christ  V]  "  We  are 
more  than  conquerors  through  him  that  loved  us." 

Jesus  is  the  universal  Lord :  to  him  every  knee  shall 
bow,  of  things  in  heaven,  and  things  in  ea/th,  and  things 
under  the  earth.  Jesus  will  be  the  Almighty  Judge  ; 
all  nations  shall  be  assembled  before  his  throne  ;  he  will 
render  unto  every  man  according  to  his  works. 

When,  through  faith,  the  sinner  is  admitted  into  the 
family  of  God,  and  changes  both  his  state  and  nature, 
through  the  blood  and  spirit  of  Jesus,  then  his  desire  is 


GIFT    OF    A    SAVIOUR.  91 

to  maintain  the  peace  which  he  has  happily  obtained 
through  believing. 

This  he  learns  to  do  from  the  prophet  Isaiah  :  "  thou 
wilt  keep  him  in  perfect  peace,  whose  mind  is  stayed  on 
thee,  because  he  trusteth  in  thee." 

A  wandering,  backsliding,  double  heart,  can  never 
enjoy  peace.  To  possess  the  blessing  of  peace,  the  mind 
must  be  stayed  upon  God.  This  is  the  same  as  "  abiding 
in  Christ :"  being  "steadfast  in  the  faith,"  "rooted  and 
grounded  in  love." 

It  implies  stability,  constancy,  perseverance. 

The  mind  must  be  stayed  upon  the  covenant  of  grace 
as  an  unchangeable,  everlasting  covenant ;  ordered  in 
all  ttr'ngs  and  sure.  In  this  covenant,  every  thing  is 
treasured  up  which  can  furnish  the  believer  with  grace 
here,  and  glory  hereafter.  Staying  his  mind,  therefore, 
upon  this  covenant  of  life  and  peace,  he  finds  rest  unto 
his  soul. 

The  mind  must  bow  with  humble  reverence  to  the 
authority  of  God.  Pride  and  rebellion  destroy  peace. 
Humility  and  submission  promote  it.  The  believer  must 
wait  the  Lord's  time  for  deliverance  :  "  Oh  !  tarry  thou 
the  Lord's  leisure  ;  be  strong,  and  he  shall  comfort  thine 
heart,"  is  the  affectionate  advice  of  David,  the  sweet 
Psalmist  of  Israel. 

This  childlike  reliance  on  the  divine  goodness  tran- 
quilizes  the  mind  in  seasons  of  darkness,  perplexity, 
trial,  and  temptation.  That  soul  is  the  most  happy, 
which  can  the  most  cheerfully  acquiesce  in  the  appoint- 
ments of  infinite  wisdom.  Murmuring  and  repining 
grieve  the  Holy  Spirit.  Resignation  and  contentment 
produce  serenity  and  sweetness  of  mind. 

Whilst  cultivating  these  important  duties,  which  are 
brought  into  daily  exercise  by  the  very  nature  of  Chris- 
tian experience,  the  mind  is  kept  in  peace,  holiness  is 


92  GIFT    OF    A    SAVIOUR. 

promoted,  and  God,  the  author  of  all  good,  is  equally 
glorified. 

Who,  then,  dare  say,  that  the  doctrine  of  grace, 
abounding  to  the  chief  of  sinners,  through  a  crucified 
Redeemer,  is  a  doctrine  which  tendeth  to  licentious- 
ness 1  As  a  vitiated  stomach  may  corrupt  the  most 
wholesome  food,  so  a  wicked  heart  can  turn  the  grace 
of  God  into  lasciviousness,  and,  under  a  most  dreadful 
delusion  of  Satan,  sin  that  grace  may  abound.  But  let 
not  this  evil  be  charged  upon  the  holy  Gospel  of  Jesus, 
any  more  than  the  disordered  frame  upon  the  wholesome 
food.  The  natural  and  spiritual  consequences  in  both 
cases  are  similar.  The  one,  arising  from  a  bad  stomach 
— the  other,  from  a  bad  heart. 

Blessed  Jesus  !  bestow  upon  me,  thy  unworthy  ser- 
vant, that  realizing  faith,  that  tranquilizing  hope,  that 
operative  love,  which  will  enable  me  to  know  and  serve 
thee  more  and  more,  till  my  soul  shall  be  made  meet  for 
that  happy  world,  where  all  sin  and  sorrow  shall  flee 
away,  and  where  perpetual  peace  and  purity  shall  glad- 
den the  redeemed  for  ever  and  ever  ! 

What  soul  can  reach  the  lofty  height, 
From  whence  the  Saviour  came  to  die  ? 
What  soul  can  trace  the  Lord  of  might 
In  his  profound  humility  ? 

Angels,  who  stand  before  the  throne, 
Here  feel  the  weakness  of  their  pow'rs  ; 
In  wonder,  they,  adoring,  own 
The  Lord  of  life,  both  theirs  and  ours. 

Oh !  for  a  heart  of  faith  and  love, 
To  taste  the  Saviour's  richest  grace, 
To  emulate  the  choirs  above, 
Who  ever  see  his  blissful  face. 

Blest  Spirit !  beautify  my  soul 

With  humble  joy  and  holy  fear ; 

Thy  pow'r  can  make  the  wounded  whole, 

And  bring  each  Gospel  blessing  near. 


DESIGN    OF    THE    GOSPEL.  93 

Descend  and  dwell  within  my  heart ; 
The  Saviour's  image  let  me  bear ; 
Then  bid  me  hence  with  joy  depart, 
And  angels'  bliss  for  ever  share. 


XV. ON  THE  DESIGN  OF  THE  GOSPEL. 

What  a  dreadful  change  sin  hath  made  in  man  !  His 
heart,  once  the  abode  of  peace  and  every  heavenly  dis- 
position, is  now  the  cage  of  every  unclean  and  hateful 
bird  ;  a  den  of  wild  beasts  ;  a  nest  of  vipers  ;  a  loathsome 
sepulchre. 

How  is  the  gold  become  dim — how  is  the  fine  gold 
changed  !  In  this  deplorable  condition  grace  finds  us, 
and  from  this  state  of  wretchedness  grace  redeems  us  ! 

The  glorious  design  of  the  Gospel  is  to  throw  a  lustre 
around  the  Godhead,  by  affording  a  display  to  all  intel- 
ligent beings  of  those  infinite  perfections,  which  harmo- 
nize at  the  cross  of  Christ ;  and  by  this  sacred  union  of 
mercy  and  truth,  righteousness  and  peace,  to  restore 
fallen  man  to  the  favor  and  image  of  his  Creator. 

Holiness  is  the  glory  and  happiness  of  man.  When 
he  lost  his  holiness,  he  lost  his  happiness.  Through  the 
atoning  blood  of  Jesus,  we  obtain  the  removal  of  our 
guilt ;  and  by  the  power  of  the  divine  Spirit,  the  renewal 
of  our  nature.  Being  thus  made  holy,  we  become  once 
more  happy. 

A  great  spiritual  change  is  effected — no  less  than  a 
new  creation  ;  for  if  any  man  be  in  Christ  Jesus,  he  is 
a  new  creature. 

This,  then,  is  the  will  of  God,  even  our  sanctification. 
Hence  we  find  that  the  Gospel  is  designed  to  reveal  to 
us,  yea,  to  put  us  in  possession  of,  the  richest  blessings: 


94  DESIGN    OF    THE    GOSPEL. 

pardon  of  sin  ;  justification  of  our  persons,  by  faith  in 
Jesus  ;  the  renovation  of  our  souls ;  adoption  into  the 
family  of  God ;  peace  with  God  ;  access  to  God  ;  union 
with  Christ ;  communion  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  through  him  ;  victory  over  sin,  Satan,  and  the 
world  ;  consolation  in  trouble,  light  in  darkness,  life  in 
death,  assurance  of  future  glory,  and  fruition  of  bliss  in 
the  world  to  come. 

How  little  is  the  genuine  nature  and  design  of  Chris- 
tianity considered  by  the  generality  of  professing  Chris- 
tians !  How  inadequately  is  its  power  felt,  and  its 
sweetness  enjoyed,  even  by  those  who  sustain  the  char- 
acter of  believers  in  Jesus !  We  live  lamentably  below 
our  privileges.  Oh  !  that  a  spirit  of  revival  may  be  felt 
among  us  !  Lord,  revive  thy  work  in  the  midst  of  the 
days.  Revive  it  in  my  heart  !  Christ  is  the  salvation 
of  all  his  dear,  believing  people  ;  they  look  to  no  other; 
they  love  no  other ;  or,  if  they  love  others,  it  is  Christ 
in  them  who  is  the  chief  object  of  their  affection. 

It  is,  therefore,  evident,  that  the  great  design  of  God 
in  the  Gospel  is  to  form  a  people  unto  himself,  who 
shall  show  forth  his  praise  ;  a  peculiar  people,  zealous 
of  good  works. 

Here  I  behold  a  way  of  access  opened  to  poor  perish- 
ing sinners,  through  faith  in  the  atonement  of  Jesus. 
Lord,  give  me  faith  in  thy  dear  Son.  Enable  me  to 
cast  my  soul  without  reserve  upon  thy  covenanted  mer- 
cies in  Christ  Jesus. 

In  him  alone  is  eternal  life.  In  him  alone  are  trea- 
sured up  grace,  mercy,  and  peace.  He  that  hath  the 
Son,  hath  life  ;  for  this  is  eternal  life,  to  know  thee,  the 
only  true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ  whom  thou  hast  sent. 

Oh  for  a  heart  to  believe  unto  righteousness  !  Blessed 
Lord,  this  heart  thou  only  canst  bestow.  Thou  know- 
est  my  wickedness  and  wretchedness  ;  my  frailties  and 


DESIGN    OF    THE    GOSPEL.  95 

follies ;  my  helplessness  and  total  alienation  of  heart 
from  thee.  Thou  knowest  from  what  height  of  happi- 
ness I  am  fallen  through  original  sin,  and  into  what 
depth  of  misery  I  am  plunged  through  wilful  transgres- 
sion. But,  Oh  sovereign  love  !  Oh  matchless  grace  ! 
thou  hast  pitied  me  ;  thou  hast  sent  thy  Son,  thy  only 
Son,  to  save  me.  Thou  hast  assured  me  that  all  who 
believe  in  him  shall  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting 
life.  Yet,  in  the  midst  of  all  this  profusion  of  mercy, 
examine  thyself,  Oh  my  soul,  whether  thou  be  in  the 
faith. 

Have  I  ever  yet  believed  unto  life  1  Have  I  that 
faith  which  is  given  to  all  the  children  of  God,  called 
by  the  apostle  "the  faith  of  God's  elect," — a  faith 
"according  to  godliness," — a  faith  which  "  worketh  by 
love," — which  "  purifieth  the  heart," — which  "  over- 
com^th  the  world," — which  "  substantiates  and  evi 
dences  things  not  seen  T* 

Jesus  hath  said,  "by  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them." 
"  A  tree  is  known  by  its  fruits."  Here,  then,  is  an  un- 
erring standard,  a  sure  criterion  of  judging  ;  for  men  do 
not  gather  grapes  of  thorns,  nor  figs  of  thistles. 

What,  then,  are  the  fruits  which  I  am  dai-y  bringing 
forth  1  What  is  the  general  tenor  of  my  thoughts  ?  If 
sinful  thoughts  arise,  do  I  cherish  them  ?  Am  I  fond 
of  retaining  them  1  Or,  have  I  obtained  the  mastery 
over  my  imaginations,  so  as  to  be  alfle  almost  instantly 
to  suppress  them,  when  contrary  to  purity  and  holiness'? 
Do  I  find  delight  in  secret  retirement,  meditation,  read- 
ing the  Scriptures,  and  prayer?  Am  I  careful  of  my 
words  1  Do  I  love  to  discourse  about  the  things  of  God, 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  render  my  conversation  profit- 
able 1  Is  Jesus,  that  endearing  name,  often  upon  my 
tongue  ;  not  from  mere  profession,  or  religious  parade, 
but  from  a  heart-felt  love  to  him  ?     What  is  the  nature 


96  DESIGN    OP    THE    GOSPEL. 

of  my  actions?  Do  they  spring  from  a  lively  faith, 
that  by  them  my  faith  may  be  known,  as  a  tree  by  its 
fruits'?  Am  I  careful  "to  maintain  good  works,"  know- 
ing that,  if  a  child  of  God,  I  am  created  in  Christ  Jesus 
unto  good  works,  which  God  hath  before  ordained  that 
I  should  walk  in  them  1 

By  some  persons,  this  train  of  self-examination  may 
be  termed  legal ;  but  where  these  evidences  of  grace  in 
the  soul  are  wanting,  all  pretension  to  Gospel  liberty  is  a 
device,  a  delusion  of  Satan. 

St.  John  hath  declared,  "If  we  ask  any  thing  accord- 
ing to  the  will  of  God,  he  heareth  us  :"  therefore,  it 
follows  as  a  consequence,  that  if  we  are  not  sanctified, 
it  is  because  we  do  not  in  sincerity  ask  this  blessing 
from  our  heavenly  Father.  We  are  not  only  to  ask,  as 
it  respects  the  subject-matter  of  our  prayers,  what  is 
agreeable  to  the  will  of  God ;  but,  to  obtain  the  bless- 
ing, we  must  also  ask  in  that  spirit  which  he  requires, 
and  which  he  alone  can  impart.  We  must  ask  in  faith; 
then  comes  the  blessing :  "  whatsoever  ye  ask  in  my 
name,  believing"  said  the  divine  Redeemer,  "ye  shall 
receive." 

We  have  here  the  reason  why  so  few  are  sanctified. 
Either  they  do  not  pray  at  all ;  or,  if  they  pray,  they  do 
not  ask  in  faith.  Hence,  the  whole  guilt  lies  upon  the 
sinner.  He  has  no  desire  to  be  sanctified,  being  destitute 
of  true  faith ;  and  so  his  prayers  are  formal,  heartless, 
and  unanswered. 

But  Oh !  when  we  duly  contemplate  the  grand  design 
of  the  Gospel,  what  an  encouragement  is  held  out  to  the 
awakened  sinner,  who  is  crying  out,  "  what  must  I  do 
to  be  saved?"  What  an  encouragement  to  know  that 
God  wills  his  sanctiflcation ;  and  that  if  he  ask  accord- 
ing to  the  will  of  God,  he  shall  assuredly  obtain  his 
request !     He  listens  to  this  declaration  of  love  :  "  be- 


DESIGN    OF    THE    GOSPEL.  07 

lieve  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  thou  shalt  be  saved ;" 
and  relying,  through  grace,  on  the  merits  of  his  Saviour, 
and  making  mention  of  his  righteousness  only,  he  sup- 
plicates at  the  mercy-seat  for  pardon  and  purity,  for 
peace  and  perseverance,  and  obtains  all  the  riches  of  the 
everlasting  covenant,  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  God. 

However  disputants  may  marshal  one  part  of  divine 
truth  against  another,  the  glorious  doctrines  of  the  Gos- 
pel, like  stones  in  a  compact  edifice,  are  firmly  united 
together.  No  created' power  can  separate  them.  Men 
may  disagree  in  sentiment,  but  they  cannot  destroy 
the  unity  of  truth.  The  word  of  the  Lord  endureth  for 
ever. 

The  Gospel  of  Christ,  like  the  rivers  in  Eden,  branches 
itself  out  into  many  fertilizing  streams.  Each  truth 
makes  glad  the  city  of  God,  the  church  of  the  Most 
High.  This  sacred  river  shall  continue  to  flow,  with 
progressive  increase  of  blessedness,  till  the  whole  earth 
shall  be  filled  with  spiritual  beauty  and  gladness, 
through  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  the  Lord. 

When  the  rosy  streaks  of  morning 

Flit  across  the  darken'd  cloud : 
When  the  growing  splendors  brighten 

O'er  the  midnight's  sable  shroud ; 

Then  we  know  the  sun,  advancing, 

Will  diffuse  the  genial  ray, 
Till  its  beam,  profusely  pouring, 

Form  the  bright,  the  perfect  day. 

Thus  the  waiting  saints,  beholding, 

'Midst  the  shades  of  mental  night, 
Streaks  of  light,  divinely  shining, 

Hail  with  joy  the  rapt'rous  sight. 

Now  they  know  their  Lord  is  coming ; 

Jesu's  praise  they  sweetly  sing ; 
Hail!  they  cry,  thou  Son  of  glory, 

Rise  with  healing  on  thy  wing. 

9 


98  PERVERTED    VIEWS    OF    THE    GOSPEL. 

Nations  wrapt  in  awful  darkness, 
See  the  glorious  light  appear ; 

Deserts  wild  and  barren  places 
All  the  charms  of  Eden  wear. 

Truth,  and  love,  and  holy  concord 

Bless  the  desolated  earth ; 
Sighs,  and  tears,  and  bitter  anguish 

Yield  to  joy  and  sacred  mirth. 

Hasten  on  this  happy  period, 

Shine,  bless'd  Saviour,  from  above, 

Till  each  nation  be  thy  portion — 
Fruit  of  thy  redeeming  love  • 


XVI. ON    PERVERTED    VIEWS    OF    THE    GOSPEL. 

Men,  in  general,  have  most  low  conceptions  of  true 
religion.  They  neither  understand  its  nature,  nor  desire 
to  understand  it.  When  we  look  into  the  nominally 
Christian  world,  it  would  almost  seem  as  if  the  great 
hulk  of  professing  Christians  thought  nothing  about  the 
holy  design  of  the  Christian  dispensation,  or  of  their  own 
responsibility  respecting  it.  Their  views  are  awfully 
erroneous,  on  a  subject  of  all  others  the  most  important. 

Taking  their  own  wisdom  for  their  guide,  they  go  on 
stumbling  in  the  dark,  till  either  Sovereign  Grace  makes 
them  wise  unto  salvation,  or  Infinite  Justice  suffers  them 
to  reap  the  fruit  of  their  own  folly,  in  "  the  blackness  of 
darkness  for  ever." 

Some  consider  the  Gospel  as  a  mitigated  law,  whereby 
the  standard  of  holiness  is  lowered,  and  a  door  opened 
for  the  commission  of  venial  offences. 

Others  imagine  that  mercy,  by  being  ultimately  ex- 
tended to  ally  will  rejoice  against  judgment ;  though  all 


PERVERTED  VIEWS  OF  THE  GOSPEL.        99 

may  not  reach  that  standard,  which  some  over-right- 
eous enthusiasts  deem  essential  to  salvation.  Some 
view  the  plan  of  salvation  as  happily  accommodated  to 
the  wants  of  sinners.  Jesus  they  acknowledge  as  the 
only  Saviour,  whose  merits  are  apportioned  to  the  defi- 
ciencies of  each  applicant  for  mercy  ;  so  that  very  moral 
persons  need  less  of  the  Saviour's  merits  than  the  profli- 
gate, as  their  own  excellencies  help  to  fill  up  the  scale  of 
righteousness.  Thus  Jesus  becomes  a  mere  make-weight 
in  the  balance  of  their  good  works. 

Oh  the  pride  and  blindness  of  the  human  heart ! 

Others  blasphemously  make  Christ  the  minister  of 
sin,  declaring  that  nothing  can  hurt  the  privileged  be- 
liever ;  no,  not  even  the  cherished  evils  of  his  own  de- 
luded heart.  They  assert  that  Christ  has  done  all ;  and 
left  him  nothing  to  do  but  to  rejoice,  although  unsub- 
dued corruptions  are  continually  breaking  out  in  his  life 
and  conversation.  They  maintain  that  divine  grace  is 
the  more  glorified,  by  thus  rising  superior,  in  its  gifts  of 
mercy,  to  the  infirmities  and  allowed  sins  of  believers. 
Thus,  the  moral  law  is  set  aside,  and  holiness  considered 
as  a  burden,  from  which  they  are  happily  freed. 

How  Satan  can  transform  himself  into  an  angel  of 
light,  the  more  effectually  to  allure  and  destroy  ! 

Awful  delusions  indeed !  Such  self-deceivers  love 
darkness  rather  than  light,  because  their  deeds  are  evil. 
Of  divine  truth,  they  are  "  willingly  ignorant." 

How  great  is  the  change,  when  God,  who  commanded 
the  light  to  shine  out  of  darkness,  shines  into  our  hearts, 
to  give  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  his  glory,  in  the 
face  of  Jesus  Christ !  By  this  divine  process,  we  become 
new  creatures,  bear  the  image  of  the  Saviour,  shine  forth 
in  the  beauty  of  holiness,  and  live  to  his  glory,  who 
worketh  all  things  after  the  counsel  of  his  will.  The 
redeemed  sinner  is  a  child  of  God.     He  is  born  from 


100  PERVERTED    VIEWS    OF    THE    GOSPEL. 

above,  and  resembles  his  heavenly  Father  in  his  linkable 
perfections. 

"  God  is  love."  Hence,  every  one  that  loveth  is  born 
of  God,  and  knoweth  God. 

God  is  "  glorious  in  holiness."  His  people  are,  there- 
fore, a  holy  people  ;  being  called  with  a  "holy  calling." 

God  is  just.  And  his  children  are  all  righteous. 
They  walk  before  him  in  uprightness,  simplicity,  and 
godly  sincerity. 

God  is  eternal  truth.  His  redeemed  ones  speak  the 
truth  from  the  heart.     They  abhor  deceit  and  lies. 

God  is  almighty.  His  people  "  are  strengthened  with 
might  by  his  Spirit  in  the  inner  man ;"  and  come  off 
"more  than  conquerors  through  him  that  loved  them." 

God  is  "  rich  in  mercy."  His  children  are  commanded 
to  be  merciful,  even  as  their  Father  which  is  in  heaven 
is  merciful. 

God  is  wisdom.  All  his  faithful  servants  are  enlight- 
ened by  his  Spirit,  guided  into  all  truth,  and  made  wise 
unto  salvation. 

Thus,  every  communicable  perfection  which  resides 
in  the  Deity,  is  reflected  by  the  new  creature  to  the 
praise  of  his  glory,  from  whom  cometh  every  good  and 
perfect  gift. 

From  this  view,  we  perceive  that  the  mere  externals 
of  religion  will  avail  nothing  unto  salvation.  There 
must  be  the  accompanying  power  of  godliness,  and  an 
inward  experience  of  the  truth  upon  the  heart.  Head- 
knowledge,  without  heart-work,  is  but  a  shadow,  good 
for  nothing. 

The  gracious  promise  of  our  all-merciful  God  is  sweet- 
ly proclaimed  by  the  prophet  Jeremiah :  "  I  will  give 
them  a  heart  to  know  me  that  I  am  the  Lord ;"  and  St. 
Paul  declares,  that  "with  the  heart  man  believeth  unto 
righteousness."     "My  son,  give  me  thy  heart"  is  the 


PERVERTED    VIEWS    OF    THE    GOSPEL.  101 

paternal  command  of  the  Almighty,  at  once  reasonable, 
loving,  and  delightful. 

Now,  let  me  ask  myself  seriously,  as  in  the  sight  of 
the  all-searching  God  :  Am  I  reflecting  the  bright  beams 
of  his  grace  on  my  own  soul  1  Do  J  love  God,  his  peo- 
ple, and  his  ways  1  If  I  am  a  child,  I  must,  of  neces- 
sity, be  filled  with  love  ;  for  God  is  love.  Do  I  hate  all 
sin,  and  walk  in  all  the  commandments  of  God ;  know- 
ing that,  without  holiness,  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord? 

Am  I  just  and  equitable  in  all  my  dealings,  remem- 
bering that  God  has  declared  his  abhorrence  of  all 
unrighteousness  of  men  1 

Are  deceitful  lies  hateful  to  my  soul  ?  Do  I  love  the 
truth,  and  practise  it  in  all  my  intentions,  words,  and 
conduct  1 

Am  I  ready  to  forgive,  knowing  how  mercy  shines 
forth  in  the  covenant  of  grace,  and  how  much  I  stand  in 
need  of  divine  mercy  every  moment  of  my  life  1 

Oh  that  I  could  feel  more  of  the  sweet  influence  of 
those  graces  in  my  heart !  Lord,  pity  a  poor  sinful  worm 
of  the  earth.  Let  me  not  be  destitute  of  this  sure  and 
certain  evidence  of  belonging  to  thee,  even  that  of  bear- 
ing thy  holy  image.  Fill  me  with  love  ;  make  me  holy 
in  all  manner  of  conversation ;  just  and  true  in  all  my 
ways  ;  powerful  in  resisting  evil ;  merciful  to  my  offend- 
ing brethren  ;  and  wise  in  all  heavenly  wisdom.  Thus 
may  my  light  shine  before  men  to  thy  glory,  till,  by  thy 
sovereign  grace,  I  am  admitted  through  the  gates  into  the 
city,  clothed  frith  the  righteousness  of  Jesus,  and  having 
the  inward  seal  and  witness  of  the  Spirit,  enabling  me  to 
exclaim  "  Abba,  Father  !"  in  the  courts  above. 

Almighty  God,  to  thee  belong 
The  heart-felt  praise,  the  grateful  song ; 
Froei  thee  all  joy  and  peace  proceed, 
And  grace  to  help  thy  people's  neod- 

9* 


102  THE    NATURE    OF    CHRISTIANITY. 

Who  can  recount  thy  mercies  o'er, 
Or  fa  thorn  that  unbounded  store 
Of  love  divine,  which  freely  gave 
Thy  Son,  rebellious  man  to  save? 

Here  language  fails,  nor  can  express 
The  riches  of  redeeming  grace : 
Its  depth  exceeds  an  angel's  ken ; 
Its  height,  the  feeble  eye  of  men. 

Behold  its  length,  its  breadth  survey, 
Coeval  with  eternity ; 
For  everlasting  love  alone 
Could  place  a  rebel  on  the  throne. 

And  is  this  love  held  forth  to  me  ? 
Amazing  thought !  Ah !  can  it  be  ? 
Angelic  tongue  can  ne'er  express 
The  vastness  of  redeeming  grace ! 

For  me,  a  rebel  worm,  he  died  ! 
For  me  "my  Lord  was  crucified !" 
Away  ye  sins — ye  lusts,  begone ; 
I  will  be  his,  and  his  alone. 

Almighty  Jesus,  make  me  thine ; 
Oh !  wash  me  in  thy  blood  divine ; 
Preserve  my  soul  from  every  sin, 
And  reign  the  sov'reign  Lord  within. 

Oh  !*  clothe  me  in  that  beauteous  dress, 
The  garment  of  thy  righteousness  ; 
Then  may  I  look  towards  thy  throne, 
And  claim  each  promise  as  my  own. 

With  joy  shall  I  appear  among 
The  blood-bought  flock,  the  ran3om'd  throng ; 
And  when  thou  bid'st  time  be  no  more, 
Thy  grace  in  endless  worlds  adore ! 


XVII. ON    THE    NATURE    OF    CHRISTIANITY. 

Christianity  is  a  religion  of  love.  It  flowed  from  the 
eternal  love  of  God  the  Father  ;  was  published  in  lines 
of  blood  on  the  cross  of  God  the  Son  ;  and  is  graciously 


THE    NATURE    OF    CHRISTIANITY.  103 

revealed  to  every  contrite  soul  through  the  power  of  God 
the  Holy  Ghost. 

Christianity  breathes  nothing  but  love  to  the  penitent 
sinner.  It  woos,  it  entreats,  it  invites  all,  without  ex- 
ception, to  partake  of  its  blessings,  and  live.  It  holds 
forth  the  free  mercy  of  God  through  Christ ;  and  offers 
pardon  and  acceptance  even  to  the  vilest,  who  come 
unto  Jesus  weary  and  heavy  laden,  as  the  Saviour  and 
friend  of  sinners. 

Canst  thou,  Oh !  my  soul,  refuse  such  an  offer  as 
this  ?  Canst  thou  reject  so  loving  a  Saviour  ;  so  rich  a 
tender  of  grace  and  mercy  ]  Blessed  Jesus  !  behold  a 
wretched  sinner  at  the  foot  of  thy  cross.  Enable  me  to 
look  unto  thee  alone  for  salvation.  Draw  me,  and  I  will 
run  after  thee.  Oh  !  may  I  daily  live  upon  thee  by 
faith,  who  art  the  true  bread  from  heaven.  Unite  me 
to  thyself,  as  the  branch  to  the  vine  ;  the  member  to  the 
head ;  and  bring  me  in  joyful  triumph  tc  thy  celestial 
kingdom. 

But  what  am  I  now  asking?  Blessings  rich  as  hea- 
ven, and  extensive  as  eternity.  I  am  imploring  bless- 
ings bought  with  blood — the  blood  of  God  incarnate  ! 
Amazing  price  !  yet  freely  paid,  to  purchase  heaven  for 
me  ! 

Christianity  spreads  happiness  around  h*>r  path.  True 
happiness  can  only  be  found  in  a  covenant  God  in 
Christ,  who  hath  declared  himself  to  be  a  just  God,  and 
yet  a  Saviour;  just,  and  yet  the  justifier  of  all  who 
believe  in  Jesus  ;  yea,  faithful  and  just  to  forgive  us  our 
sins,  and  to  cleanse  us  from  all  unrighteousness. 

When  we  contemplate  the  great  Jehovah  in  his  essen- 
tial character  out  of  Christ,  we  behold  every  perfection 
in  array  against  us,  and  demanding  our  everlasting 
punishment  as  rebel  creatures.  Infinite  holiness  and 
justice,  truth  and  goodness,  require  that  sin  should  be 


104  THE    NATURE    OP    CHRISTIANITY. 

punished.  Hence  the  Scriptures  declare  that  "our  God 
is  a  consuming  fire,"  "  who  will  in  nowise  clear  the 
guilty." 

But  when  we  view  God  in  Christ  reconciling  the 
world  unto  himself,  not  imputing  their  trespasses  unto 
them  ;  when  we  behold  the  Eternal  Word  becoming 
flesh,  and  dwelling  amongst  us  ;  when  we  see  the  babe 
of  Bethlehem,  Emanuel,  God  with  us  ;  then  hope  re- 
vives, and  leans  with  sweet,  delightful  confidence  on  the 
rock  of  ages ;  love  kindles  into  a  bright  and  ardent 
flame  ;  faith  contemplates  with  rapture  the  stupendous 
plan  of  mercy ;  while  all  our  enraptured  powers  unite 
their  efforts  to  adore  the  great  Redeemer's  name. 

Lord,  what  is  man,  that  thou  art  thus  mindful  of  him; 
or  the  son  of  man,  that  thou  so  regardest  him  ]  Oh  ! 
how  wonderful  is  the  love  of  God  towards  lost  rebellious 
sinners ! 

"Who  is  a  God  like  unto  thee,  that  pardoneth  ini- 
quity, and  passeth  by  the  transgression  of  the  remnant 
of  his  heritage  ?  He  retaineth  not  his  anger  for  ever, 
because  he  delighteth  in  mercy.  He  will  turn  again ; 
he  will  have  compassion  upon  us ;  he  will  subdue  our 
iniquities ;  and  thou  wilt  cast  all  their  sins  into  the 
depths  of  the  sea." 

The  religion  of  Jesus  is  a  religion  of  peace.  The  angels 
sang,  "Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  and  on  earth  peace, 
good-will  towards  men,"  when  they  announced  to  the 
wondering  shepherds  the  glad  tidings  of  the  Saviour's 
birth.  Wherever  the  power  of  the  Gospel  is  felt,  there 
joy  and  peace  reign.  "  The  wilderness  and  the  solitary 
place  shall  be  glad,  and  the  desert  shall  rejoice  and 
blossom  as  a  rose.  It  shall  blossom  abundantly,  and 
rejoice  even  with  joy  and  singing." 

Christianity  displays  the  ivisdom  of  God.  "  Happy, 
then,  is  the  man  that  findeth  wisdom,  and  the  man  that 


THE    NATURE    OF    CHRISTIANITY.  105 

getteth  understanding ;  for  the  merchandise  of  it  is 
better  than  the  merchandise  of  silver,  and  the  gain 
thereof  than  fine  gold.  She  is  more  precious  than  ru- 
bies :  and  all  the  things  thou  canst  desire  are  not  to  be 
compared  unto  her.  Length  of  days  is  in  her  right 
hand ;  and  in  her  left  hand  riches  and  honor.  Her 
ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness,  and  all  her  paths  are 
peace.  She  is  a  tree  of  life  to  them  that  lay  hold  upon 
her  ;   and  happy  is  every  one  that  retaineth  her." 

Take,  then,  to  thyself,  Oh  mighty  Saviour,  thy  great 
power,  and  reign  over  all  the  earth  !  Fulfil  thy  promise 
to  thine  ancient  Israel,  and  to  the  benighted  millions  of 
the  heathen  world.  Let  Satan  no  longer  maintain  his 
empire  in  the  human  heart.  Hurl  him  from  his  seat. 
Dislodge  him  from  his  citadel.  Command  him  into  the 
deep  ;  for  thou  hast  said,  "All  Israel  shall  be  saved," 
and  "  the  Lord  shall  be  the  king  of  the  whole  earth." 

Adorable  Emanuel,  Prince  of  peace,  Sovereign  of 
souls  !  take  away  the  veil  from  the  heart  of  the  poor 
Jews,  who  have  so  long  been  "scattered  and  peeled;" 
"without,  a  king,  without  a  prince,  without  a  sacrifice." 
Hear  the  prayers  of  gentile  Christians  on  their  behalf, 
that  they  may  look  upon  thee  whom  they  have  pierced; 
and  mourn,  till  their  sorrow,  through  thy  forgiving  grace, 
shall  be  turned  into  joy. 

Open  the  eyes  of  the  perishing  heathen,  that  they 
may  see  the  misery  of  their  condition  ;  the  hard  bond- 
age under  which  they  labor  ;  the  cruel  tyrant  whom 
they  serve  ;  and  the  awful  doom  which  awaits  them  in 
another  world. 

Oh!  do  thou  reveal  to  them,  through  the  preaching 
of  the  Gospel,  "  thine  agony  and  bloody  sweat,  thy  cross 
and  passion  ;"  all  the  mysteries  of  Gethsemane  and  Cal- 
vary. Show  them  the  crown  of  glory  which  thou  hast 
purchased  ;  the  kingdom  which  thou  hast  prepared ;  the 


106  THE    NATURE    OF    CHRISTIANITY. 

inheritance  incorruptible  and  undefiled,  which  is  re- 
served for  all  who  live  a  life  of  faith  in  thee.  Endue 
them  with  strength  to  renounce  their  sins,  and  to  burst 
the  chains  which  bind  their  captive  spirits.  Shed  abroad 
thy  love  in  their  hearts,  and  transform  them  into  thy 
own  most  holy  image. 

And  Oh  thou  loving  Saviour,  have  mercy  upon  those 
thousands  of  nominal  professors  of  the  Gospel,  who  are 
by  thee  esteemed  the  worst  of  sinners  !  These,  Oh 
Lord,  do  unto  thee  the  greatest  dishonor.  They  hear 
of  thee  without  emotion.  They  talk  of  thee  without 
affection.  They  know  thy  Gospel,  speculatively,  but 
experience  nothing  of  its  power.  They  call  thee  Lord, 
but  do  not  obey  thee.  They  have  the  light  shining 
around  them,  yet  love  darkness  rather  than  light.  They 
hear  the  sweet  sound  of  grace,  yet  find  no  chord  of  uni- 
son within.  They  see  the  waters  of  life  flowing  on 
every  side,  yet  never  taste  of  their  refreshing  stream. 
They  have  a  name  that  they  live,  and  yet  are  dead. 
They  profess  that  they  know  God,  yet  in  works  deny 
him.  They  have  the  form  of  godliness,  yet  deny  the 
power  thereof.  They  express  a  self-complaisant  pity 
for  the  poor  Jew  and  Gentile,  whilst  they  themselves 
are  in  a  far  more  wretched  state  than  these  objects  of 
their  commiseration. 

Oh  !  that  the  Spirit  may  be  poured  out  from  on  high; 
that  the  wilderness  may  become  a  fruitful  field  ;  that 
every  heart  may  experience  the  transforming  power  of 
thy  sovereign  grace,  and  the  whole  earth  be  filled  with 
thy  glory  !  Thou  hast  said,  "  Surely  I  come  quickly — 
Amen,  even  so  come,  Lord  Jesus." 

Eternal  God,  thy  power  display ; 
Chase  all  the  shades  of  night  away ; 
Let  every  foe  before  thee  fly, 
And  bring  each  Gospel  blessing  nigh. 


NEGLECTING  THE  GOSPEL.  107 

Thy  dying  love,  Oh  Lord,  reveal — 
That  love  which  melts  the  heart  of  steel ; 
Each  stubborn  will  in  mercy  bow, 
And  lay  the  rebel  sinner  low. 

Arise,  thou  Sun  of  righteousness, 
And  all  thy  waiting  people  bless ; 
Arise  upon  our  hearts,  and  shine 
Till  every  heart  be  wholly  thine. 

Inflame  our  cold  affections,  Lord ; 
Renew  them  by  thy  quick'ning  word  ; 
Bind  every  thought  in  icilliyig  chains, 
Till  not  a  rebel  thought  remains. 


XVIII. ON    NEGLECTING    THE    GOSPEL. 

This  declaration  of  the  apostle,  "How  shall  we 
escape,  if  we  neglect  so  great  salvation  V9- — is  both  a 
solemn  question,  and  an  awful  conclusion.  Those  who 
hold  infidel  principles,  who  live  in  a  total  disregard  of 
religious  ordinances,  and  who  persecute  the  followers 
of  Jesus,  despise  the  salvation  of  God. 

But  there  are  other  marks  equally  legible  to  the  dis- 
cerning eye,  though  often  unseen  by  the  persons  who 
bear  them,  on  account  of  the  blinding  nature  of  sin, 
which  point  out  the  neglecters  of  salvation. 

The  three  following  should  excite  alarm,  and  call 
forth  the  important  exercise  of  strict  self-examination. 

1.  If  we  are  living  in  the  allowed  indulgence  of  one 
known  sin,  whether  that  sin  be  internal  or  external ; 
whether  it  be  cherished  in  the  secret  recesses  of  the 
heart ;  or  whether  it  ripen  into  overt  acts ;  we  are  ne- 
glecting the  salvation  of  the  Gospel.  We  may  have 
knowledge,  and  zeal,  and  gifts  of  various   kinds ;  we 


108  NEGLECTING  THE  GOSPEL. 

may  do  much  in  active  exertion  to  promote  the  genera 
cause  of  religion  ;  we  may  associate  with  pious  charac- 
ters, and  be  ourselves  esteemed  pious ;  we  may  be  reg- 
ular at  church;  maintain  family  worship;  and,  like 
Herod,  do  "  many  things  :"  yet  if,  after  all,  we  are  liv- 
ing in  the  allowed  indulgence  of  one  known  sin,  we  are 
neglecting  this  great  salvation  ;  and,  dying  in  this  state, 
must  inevitably  perish.  Should  we  knock  and  say, 
"  Lord,  open  unto  us,"  Jesus  would  profess  unto  us,  "  I 
never  knew  you  ;  depart  from  me,  ye  workers  of  iniqui- 
ty." How  awful  is  this  consideration,  and  yet  how  just ! 
We  may  destroy  all  the  refuse  of  the  Amalekites ;  yet, 
if  we  preserve  Agag  and  the  rest  of  the  flock  alive  ;  if 
we  retain  some  beloved  lust  in  the  heart,  we  manifest  a 
spirit  in  direct  opposition  to  the  will  and  command  of 
God. 

2.  If  we  are  building  upon  any  other  foundation,  in 
whole  or  in  part,  than  Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified, 
we  are  neglecting  his  great  salvation.  To  be  saved  from 
the  dreadful  consequences  of  sin,  we  must  build  simply 
and  entirely  on  that  foundation  which  God  hath  laid  in 
Zion,  without  daring  to  bring  any  of  the  materials  of 
corrupt  nature  to  mix  with  it.  On  this  foundation  we 
must  pray  for  grace  to  build  gold,  silver,  and  precious 
stones.  This  must  be  done  by  adding  to  faith  virtue, 
and  to  virtue  knowledge,  and  to  knowledge  temperance, 
and  to  temperance  patience,  and  to  patience  godliness, 
and  to  godliness  brotherly  kindness,  and  to  brotherly 
kindness  charity.  If  these  things  be  in  us,  and  abound, 
they  make  us  that  we  shall  neither  be  barren  nor  un- 
fruitful in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ ;  whilst  an  entrance  shall  be  ministered  to  us 
abundantly  into  his  heavenly  kingdom. 

3.  If  we  are  preferring  any  earthly  object,  of  what- 
ever kind,  to  Jesus  Christ ;  if  our  affections  are  placed 


NEGLECTING  THE  GOSPEL.  109 

on  any  other  being  in  opposition  to  him  ;  or  if  we  are 
seeking  our  delight  in  any  created  thing,  as  distinct 
from  him  and  independent  of  him,  we  are  neglecting 
his  great  salvation ;  yea,  setting  up  idols  in  our  hearts. 
We  must  love  the  adorable  Saviour  with  a  supreme 
affection  ;  and  we  must  love  other  objects  only  for  his 
sake.  Our  temporal  blessings  must  be  enjoyed  as  flow- 
ing from  him  ;  our  friends  and  domestic  comforts  must 
be  received  as  gifts  coming  to  us  through  his  redeeming 
grace.  All  we  possess  must  be  held  at  his  disposal, 
and  with  a  view  to  that  account  which  we  must  one  day 
give. 

Thus,  Christ  must  be  the  Alpha  and  the  Omega,  the 
beginning  and  ending  of  all  our  desires  and  affections. 

Oh  !  how  strait  is  the  gate,  and  narrow  is  the  way, 
that  leadeth  unto  life  ;  and  few  there  be  that  find  it. 
May  I  never  forget  this  unchangeable  truth  ;  that  Jesus 
is  the  only  way  of  escape  from  hell — and  the  only  way 
of  access  to  heaven.  Lord,  let  thy  good  Spirit  guide 
me  into  this  consecrated  way.  Hold  thou  me  up,  and 
I  shall  be  safe. 

It  is  truly  awakening  to  reflect  how  far  a  person  may 
go  in  the  circumstantials  of  religion,  and  yet  be  entirely 
destitute  of  the  life  of  God  in  the  soul. 

The  holy  Scriptures  abound  with  declarations  to  this 
effect,  which  prove  the  deceitfulness  of  the  human  heart, 
and  the  danger  of  resting  in  mere  outward  forms  and 
orthodox  opinions.  Thus,  Job  describes  the  character 
of  the  hypocrite  :  "  What  is  the  hope  of  the  hypocrite, 
though  he  hath  gained,  when  God  taketh  away  his  soul  1 
Will  he  delight  himself  in  the  Almighty?  will  he  always 
call  upon  God  1"  evidently  implying,  that,  not  having  the 
root  of  the  matter  in  him,  though  he  had  gained  the  ap- 
plause of  men  for  his  seeming  piety,  he  would  soon  grow 
weary  of  the  service  of  God. 

10 


110  NEGLECTING    THE    GOSPEL. 

David  also  shows,  in  awful  colors,  the  wickedness  of 
false  teachers  :  "  Unto  the  wicked,  God  saith,  what  hast 
thou  to  do  to  declare  my  statutes,  or  that  thou  shouldest 
take  my  covenant  in  thy  mouth  ;  seeing  thou  hatest 
instruction,  and  castest  my  words  behind  thee  f 

Thus,  wicked  men  may  enter  into  the  priestly  office, 
preach  the  Gospel,  and  talk  about  that  covenant,  in  the 
blessings  of  which  they  have  no  personal  interest  what- 
ever. 

The  prophet  Isaiah,  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  sets  forth 
the  extreme  hypocrisy  of  the  Jews :  "  Cry  aloud,  spare 
not,  lift  up  thy  voice  like  a  trumpet,  and  show  my  peo- 
ple their  transgression,  and  the  house  of  David  their 
sins.  Yet  they  seek  me  daily,  and  delight  to  know  my 
ways,  as  a  nation  that  did  righteousness,  and  forsook 
not  the  ordinances  of  their  God.  They  ask  of  me  the 
ordinances  of  justice ;  they  take  delight  in  approaching 
to  God." 

Thus,  their  conduct  was  a  strange  mixture  of  appa- 
rent devotion  and  positive  rebellion. 

The  prophet  Ezekiel  was  shown  the  true  character  of 
those  who  waited  upon  him.  "  They  come  unto  thee 
as  the  people  cometh  ;  and  they  sit  before  thee  as  my 
people  ;  and  they  hear  thy  words,  but  they  will  not  do 
them  ;  for  with  their  mouth  they  show  much  love,  but 
their  heart  goeth  after  their  covetousness." 

Our  divine  Redeemer  has  painted  the  hypocrite  in  his 
true  colors  :  "  Wo  unto  you,  Scribes  and  Pharisees,  hy- 
pocrites ;  for  ye  pay  tithe  of  mint,  anise,  and  cummin, 
and  have  omitted  the  weightier  matters  of  the  law, 
judgment,  mercy,  and  faith."  "Wo  unto  you,  Scribes 
and  Pharisees,  hypocrites ;  for  ye  make  clean  the  out- 
side of  the  cup  and  of  the  platter,  but  within  they  are 
full  of  extortion  and  excess."  "Wo  unto  you,  Scribes 
and  Pharisees,  hypocrites ;  for  ye  are  like  unto  whited 


NEGLECTING  THE  GOSPEL.  Ill 

sepulchres,  which,  indeed,  appear  beautiful  outward,  but 
are  within  full  of  dead  men's  bones,  and  all  unclean- 
ness."  "  Ye  serpents,  ye  generation  of  vipers,  how  can 
ye  escape  the  damnation  of  hell !" 

When  we  consider  that  these  men  were  held  in  the 
highest  esteem  and  veneration  amongst  the  Jews  for 
their  outward  sanctity  and  devotion,  we  see  how  far 
persons  may  go  in  the  externals  of  religion,  and  yet  be 
in  the  very  gall  of  bitterness  and  in  the  bond  of  iniquity. 
It  was  on  this  account  that  the  apostle  Paul  so  con- 
stantly warned  the  churches  to  whom  he  wrote  against 
false  profession,  and  receiving  the  grace  of  God  in  vain. 
He  speaks  of  those  who  hold  the  truth,  but  who  hold  it 
in  unrighteousness.  The  Epistles  of  St.  Peter,  St.  John, 
and  St.  Jude,  are  full  of  warnings  against  false  teach- 
ers, antichrists,  and  deceivers.  The  charges  to  the  seven 
churches,  in  the  book  of  Revelation,  most  awfully  show 
the  danger  of  declension,  of  leaving  our  first  love,  of 
becoming  lukewarm,  and,  consequently,  loathsome  to 
an  infinitely  holy  God. 

Many,  it  is  to  be  feared,  have  the  reputation  of  being 
spiritually  alive,  whose  souls,  in  the  sight  of  God,  are 
dead  to  all  the  vital  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

Oh,  my  soul,  let  not  these  solemn  portions  of  God's 
sacred  word  be  lost  upon  thee.  Pray  without  ceasing 
for  that  grace,  which  can  alone  preserve  thee  from  fall- 
ing, and,  through  the  merits  of  Jesus,  present  thee  fault- 
less before  the  presence  of  his  glory  with  exceeding  joy. 

Almighty  Saviour !  awaken  my  drowsy  senses,  and 
make  me  alive  to  my  real  condition.  Suffer  me  not  to 
neglect  thy  blessed  Gospel ;  but  draw  me  to  thyself  con- 
tinually, for  thy  grace  is  sufficient  for  me.  Wash  me  in 
the  cleansing  fountain  of  thy  blood.  Place  me  upon 
that  foundation  which  can  never  be  moved.  Arm  me 
for  the  spiritual  combat;  and  at  last  make  me  more  than 


112  INADEQUATE    VIEWS    OF    HUMAN    NATURE. 

conqueror,  through   the   power  of  thy  might  and  the 
riches  of  thy  grace. 

Why  should  I  linger  here  below, 

When  Jesus  calls  my  heart  above? 
Why,  Oh,  my  soul,  the  bliss  forego, 

The  joy  of  everlasting  love  ? 

I  feel  the  weight  of  nature's  guilt, 

Beneath  its  pond'rous  load  I  groan ; 
Oh!  may  the  blood  on  Calvary  spilt 

For  all  my  crimson  sins  atone ! 

Blest  Jesus !  speak,  the  pardoning  word ; 

Salvation  to  my  spirit  bring ! 
Then  will  thy  grace  those  joys  afford, 

Which  from  thy  cross  to  sinners  spring. 

Redeem'd  from  guilt  and  slavish  fear, 

My  soul  shall  wing  its  way  to  thee ! 
While  faith  beholds  her  title  clear 

To  blissful  immortality. 


XIX. ON    INADEQUATE    VIEWS    OF    HUMAN    NATURE. 

The  world  is  full  of  mourning,  lamentation,  and  wo. 
We  see  many  dancing  along  in  thoughtless  gayety,  and 
sporting  on  the  brink  of  perdition  :  but  this  lightness  of 
spirit  is  transient ;  sorrow  soon  darkens  the  glare  of  hu 
man  happiness,  and  leaves  the  soul  in  sad  dejection  and 
despair. 

This  picture  may  be  gloomy,  yet  it  is  true.  Sin  lias 
defaced  the  moral  excellence  of  man  ;  yea,  more,  has 
converted  him  into  whatever  is  base,  polluted,  and 
depraved. 

All  his  faculties  and  powers  are  now  employed  as 
weapons  against  his  Maker  ;  and  the  very  plan  of  mercy, 


INADEQUATE    VIEWS    OF    HUMAN    NATURE.  113 

whereby  alone  he  can  be  restored  to  holiness,  happiness, 
and  heaven,  is  opposed,  neglected,  or  despised. 

And  yet  we  talk  of  moral  excellence  in  a  fallen  crea- 
ture ;  of  goodness  in  a  heart  which  is  desperately  wick- 
ed ;  of  righteousness  in  a  condemned  criminal  ;  of  amia- 
ble qualities  in  a  mind  at  enmity  against  God ;  of  strength 
in  a  helpless  worm  ;  of  wisdom  in  a  soul  beclouded  in  all 
its  powers. 

Strange  inconsistency  !  "What  communion  hath  light 
with  darkness'?"  The  word  of  God  condemns  such  a 
motley  character,  and  pronounces  a  wo  on  that  wnich 
the  world  so  much  admires. 

It  is  no  uncommon  thing  to  hear  people  talk  about 
their  good  hearts  and  good  intentions  ;  when  love  to 
God,  and  a  desire  to  please  him,  are  utter  strangers  to 
their  breast. 

These  self-admiring  persons  consider  as  libellous  every 
attempt  to  tear  away  the  mask,  and  to  expose  the  native 
vileness  of  the  inner  man.  Thus,  pride,  vanity,  self- 
love,  and  unbelief,  the  deadly  roots  from  whence  all 
mischief  springs,  conspire  to  keep  us  in  a  state  of  bond- 
age, and  enveloped  in  the  mist  of  error. 

It  is  quite  compatible  with  the  vanity  of  our  fallen 
nature,  to  extol,  as  the  highest  excellence,  those  benev- 
olent and  patriotic  feelings  which  often  exist  in  a  heart 
totally  alienated  from  God.  The  Bible  acknowledges 
no  real  excellence,  but  what  arises  from  the  regenerating 
work  of  grace  upon  the  soul.  An  attentive  reader  of 
that  Holy  Book  must  be  struck  with  the  faithful  deline- 
ations which  it  gives  of  the  human  heart.  Man  is  there 
represented  as  he  appears  in  the  sight  of  God,  when 
divested  of  all  his  meretricious  ornaments. 

What  we  call  virtues,  will  be  found,  when  analyzed, 
to  be  mere  selfish  principles  ;  and  human  approbation  to 
be  the  secret  spring  of  many  a  splendid  action.     This 

10* 


114  INADEQUATE    VIEWS    OF    HUMAN    NATURE. 

disclosure  is  revolting  to  our  pride.  But  proud  man 
must  be  humbled.  The  Scripture  hath  concluded  all 
under  sin  In  this  state,  grace  at  first  finds  the  sinner. 
There  is  naturally  no  movement  of  the  soul  towards 
God ;  no  affection  for  him ;  no  trust  in  him ;  no  obedience 
to  him. 

The  first  inclination  of  the  heart  to  God  is  the  sole 
operation  of  his  own  secret  power,  by  such  instruments 
or  means  as  he,  in  his  wisdom  and  sovereignty,  is  pleased 
to  employ. 

The  work,  once  begun,  gradually,  and  sometimes,  in- 
deed, rapidly  increases.  The  blade,  the  ear,  and  the 
full  corn  in  the  ear,  are  of  a  longer  or  shorter  period  in 
their  growth,  as  the  principle  is  weaker  or  stronger ;  for 
there  are  mysteries  in  grace,  as  well  as  in  nature. 

But  in  both  kingdoms,  the  work  is  of  God.  He  be- 
gins, carries  on,  and  completes  the  vast  design.  All 
originates  in  his  will,  and  all  shall  terminate  in  his  glo- 
ry. His  language  is,  "  I  am  God,  and  besides  me  there 
is  no  Saviour."  "  In  the  Lord,  all  the  seed  of  Israel 
shall  be  justified,  and  shall  glory." 

Yet  man  is  a  responsible  creature,  a  moral  agent. 

In  this  work  of  grace,  God  does  not  force,  but  inclines 
the  heart  to  seek  him.  He  does  not  compel  the  sinner, 
with  reluctant  steps,  to  enter  in  at  the  strait  gate ;  but, 
by  enlightening  his  mind,  and  touching  his  heart,  he 
sweetly  constrains  him  to  enter  in,  that  he  may  be 
saved. 

His  refusing  to  submit  to  the  yoke  of  Jesus,  and  to 
accept  of  mercy  on  Gospel  terms,  is  altogether  the  fruit 
and  effect  of  his  own  depraved  heart,  and  will  justly  be 
punished,  if  persisted  in,  with  everlasting  destruction. 
Thus,  all  the  praise  of  our  salvation  is  due  to  God  alone  ; 
whilst  all  the  guilt  and  final  misery,  flowing  from  our 
transgressions,  are  chargeable  solely  upon  ourselves. 


INADEQUATE    VIEWS    OF    HUMAN    NATURE.  115 

;>len  may  now  argue,  and  dispute,  and  cavil,  about 
the  truths  of  revelation ;  but  a  day  is  fast  approaching, 
when  "every  mouth  that  is  now  opened  against  him, 
God  will  condemn."  In  that  tremendous  day  of  just 
judgment,  the  guilty  conscience  will  speak  in  loudest 
thunder  to  the  self-convicted  soul ;  whilst  notes  of  praise 
will  for  ever  ascend  from  hearts  renewed  by  sovereign 
grace,  to  the  fountain  of  eternal  love. 

We  sin,  and  forget  the  sin.  But  God  remembers  all 
our  wickedness.  Awful,  awakening  thought !  Every 
impure  imagination,  every  unhallowed  affection,  every 
sinful  purpose,  though  unripened  into  action,  every  se- 
cret, and,  to  men,  unknown  iniquity,  is  remembered  by 
that  omniscient  God,  who  will  judge  the  secrets  of  men's 
hearts  by  Jesus  Christ,  and  strictly  render  to  every  man 
according  to  his  works.  Oh  what  a  day  will  that  be, 
which  tears  away  the  mask  of  hypocrisy  from  the  face 
of  sin  !  which  rolls  away  the  whitened  stone  from  off 
the  loathsome  sepulchre  ;  which  discloses  the  impure 
chambers  of  imagery,  and  discovers  all  the  hidden  evils 
of  a  heart  once  admired,  but  now  abhorred  by  an  assem- 
bled world  of  saints  and  angels! 

In  that  day,  the  wicked  will  bewail,  in  bitter  re- 
proaches, their  forgetfulness  of  God,  and  their  love  of 
sin  ;  but  this  bitterness  of  soul,  being  utterly  destitute 
of  every  gracious  feeling,  will  only  increase  the  sharp- 
ness of  their  torment,  and  give  additional  strength  to 
the  sting  of  that  worm  which  never  dies  ! 

Thus,  their  self-reproaches,  and  hatred  of  God,  will 
be  commensurate  with  eternity.  Hating  God — hating 
themselves — and  hating  the  dreadful  fiends  who  torment 
them,  they  will  be  wretched,  beyond  all  conception,  for 
ever  and  ever  ! 

Happy  are  they  who  receive  the  truth  as  little  chil- 
dren.    Lord,  give  me  right  views  of  the  truth,  as  it  is 


116  INADEQUATE    VIEWS    OF    HUMAN    NATUK.E. 

in  Jesus  ;  and  right  feelings  and  affections  towards  thee, 
who  art  the  God  of  my  life  and  of  my  salvation. 

Put  thy  fear  into  my  heart,  that  I  may  not.  depart 
from  thee.  Fill  me  with  a  reverential  awe  of  thy  holy 
name.  Let  me  never  pry  into  the  wisely-concealed  pur- 
poses of  thy  grace,  but  ever  remember,  and  practically 
regard,  this  important  declaration  of  Moses,  "  The  secret 
things  belong  unto  the  Lord  our  God ;  but  those  things 
which  are  revealed  belong  unto  us  and  our  children  for 
ever,  that  we  may  do  all  the  words  of  this  law." 

When  I  hear  a  sinner  boasting 

Of  the  goodness  of  his  heart, 
And  how  easy  'tis  for  mortals 

With  their  dearest  sins  to  part ; 

Then,  methinks,  this  man's  a  stranger 

To  the  work  of  grace  and  faith ; 
A''  he  speaks  betrays  his  blindness, 

All  is  darkness  that  he  saith. 

Did  he  onr  „-  but  feel  the  workings 

Of  the  opirit's  mighty  pow'r, 
He  would  feel  the  flesh  rebelling, 

From  that  highly  favor'd  hour. 

Satan  would  not  let  him  conquer, 

Without  many  battles  fought ; 
This  the  Lord  permits,  that  sinners 

Their  own  vileness  may  be  taught. 

'Tis  the  traitor  lodged  within  us 

Seeks  t'  admit  the  foe  without  j 
When,  by  grace  divinely  potent, 

Satan  has  been  once  cast  out. 

Inbred  evils,  dread  corruptions, 

Natives  of  the  human  heart, 
League  with  Satan  'gainst  the  Saviour, 

And  determine  not  to  part. 

Men  would  still  resist  the  blessings 

Which  a  gracious  God  bestows, 
Did  not  grace  of  freest  mercy 

Still  with  blessings  interpose. 


TWO    COMMON    ERRORS.  117 

Oh  !  how  matchless  is  this  mercy ! 

How  unbounded  is  this  love ! 
'Tis  our  joy  on  earth  to  feel  it; 

'Tis  the  theme  of  saints  above. 


XX. ON    TWO    COMMON    ERRORS. 

There  are  two  fatal  errors,  which,  it  is  to  be  feured, 
abound  amongst  professing  Christians.  The  one,  which 
considers  divine  grace  as  disrobed  of  its  glory,  by  insist- 
ing upon  the  necessity  of  human  endeavors  in  the  great 
work  of  salvation.  The  other,  which  declares  as  inju- 
rious to  morality  the  stress  that  is  laid  upon  the  abso- 
lute necessity  of  divine  grace  to  the  production  of  every 
thing  that  is  spiritually  good  in  any  man. 

The  truth  embraces  both  these  propositions  :  viz.,  the 
absolute  need  of  divine  grace,  without  which  "nothing 
is  holy  ;"  and  the  absolute  necessity  of  human  endeav- 
ors, since  God  worketh  in  us  both  to  will  and  to  do  of  his 
good  pleasure.  Though  salvation  be  all  of  grace,  yet 
God  is  pleased  to  work  by  means.  A  Paul  must  plant, 
an  Apollos  water,  whilst  God  giveth  the  increase.  The 
husbandman  deposites  his  seed  in  the  ground,  yet  God 
alone  can  crown  his  labors  with  an  abundant  harvest. 

To  depend  upon  the  divine  blessing,  without  using 
the  means  wThich  Infinite  Wisdom  has  appointed,  is  en- 
thusiasm. To  use  the  means  appointed,  without  an  en- 
tire dependance  upon  the  promised  blessing,  is  impiety. 

If  a  father,  for  instance,  should  pray  for  the  conver- 
sion of  his  children,  and  yet  suffer  them  to  run  wild', 
without  presenting  one  check  to  evil,  under  the  impres- 
sion that  the  Almighty  in  his  good  time  will  save  them, 
if  they  are  to  be  saved;  and  that  if  they  are  not  amongst 


IIS  TWO    COMMON    ERRORS. 

the  elect,  no  blame  can  attach  to  him,  should  they  finally 
perish ;  would  he  not,  by  such  erroneous  views  of  the 
plan  of  salvation,  be  actually  aiding  the  cause  of  Satan, 
and  the  destruction  of  his  unhappy  offspring,  under  the 
false  notion  of  glorifying  the  sovereignty  of  God  and  the 
freeness  of  divine  grace  1 

So,  on  the  other  hand,  if  a  father  should  endeavor  to 
train  up  his  children  in  virtuous  habits,  and  be  anxious 
to  guard  them  against  the  seductions  of  the  world;  and 
yet  draw  all  his  hopes  of  success  from  his  own  exertions 
and  paternal  instructions,  without  once  feeling  the  force 
of  that  all-important  declaration  of  the  Saviour,  "With- 
out me,  ye  can  do  nothing  ;"  would  he  not,  by  such 
conduct,  manifest  great  impiety  ?  and  might  not  the 
Almighty  withhold  his  spiritual  blessing,  to  show  how 
easily  he  can  blight  the  most  powerful  human  en- 
deavors 1 

To  trust  God  with  all  our  hearts,  in  the  diligent  use 
of  the  appointed  means,  is  the  path  which  Infinite  Wis- 
dom has  marked  out  for  man,  as  a  moral  agent.  To  be 
enabled  to  do  this  in  a  right  spirit,  is  the  work  of  divine 
grace,  and  the  way  to  obtain  the  divine  blessing. 

The  Bible,  whilst  it  reveals  the  utter  inability  of  man 
to  do  any  thing  that  is  good,  by  any  natural  power  of 
his  own,  addresses  him  as  a  creature  endued  with  ra- 
tional powers,  and  of  high  responsibilities.  Hence,  the 
sacred  volume  abounds  with  exhortations  to  diligence, 
motives  to  obedience,  and  promises  of  grace  and  strength 
both  to  do  and  suffer  the  holy  will. 

Spiritual  pride  and  spiritual  sloth  are  alike  condemn- 
ed. He  who  says  "  I  will  not,"  and  he  who  says  "  I 
cannot,"  may  be  equally  under  the  influence  of  a  bad 
spirit.  The  latter,  which  has  a  show  of  humility,  may 
spring  from  spiritual  sloth,  as  the  former  does  from 
spiritual  pride.     When  grace  really  enlightens  the  mind, 


TWO    COMMON    ERRORS.  119 

and  affects  the  heart,  the  sinner,  though  deeply  conscious 
of  his  utter  inability  to  save  himself,  dares  not  make  this 
an  excuse  for  continuing  in  sin.  Under  the  influence  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  he  cries  mightily  to  God,  through  Christ, 
for  deliverance  from  the  guilt  and  power  of  sin  ;  and  is 
graciously  helped  by  him  who  never  said  to  the  seed  of 
Jacob,  "  Seek  ye  me  in  vain." 

The  Antinomian,  and  the  •self-righteous  error,  are 
both  reprobated  in  the  Scriptures  of  truth. 

Whilst  we  would  carefully  avoid  those  metaphysical 
niceties  which  darken  the  simplicity  of  the  Gospel,  we 
should  pray  to  discover  those  subtle  webs  which  Satan 
weaves  to  catch  the  feet  of  the  unwary. 

Divine  truth  is  beautiful  in  its  own  simplicity — and 
grand  in  its  own  sublimity.  Every  human  addition, 
like  paint  on  the  diamond,  obscures  its  lustre. 

An  honest  heart,  and  a  sincere  intention  to  please  God 
in  all  things,  will  clear  the  path  of  duty  from  many  a 
stumbling-block,  which  the  pride  of  human  reason  has 
cast  up  ;  "  for  if  any  man  will  do  his  will,  he  shall  know 
of  the  doctrine  whether  it  be  of  God." 

Men,  in  general,  are  more  ready  to  argue  a  point  in 
divinity,  than  to  crucify  a  beloved  lust.  Those  who 
are  much  acquainted  with  the  religious  world,  will  find 
many  polemical  disputants  for  one  self-denying  follower 
of  Jesus. 

The  apostle  was  compelled  to  say  in  his  day :  "  there 
are  many  unruly  and  vain  talkers."  And  such  charac- 
ters have  been  found  in  every  age  of  the  church,  to  the 
annoyance  of  the  humble  Christian. 

The  Bible  is  not  given  to  us  for  disputation,  but  for 
edification  ;  and  its  doctrines  are  designed  to  have  a 
practical  tendency  on  the  mind  and  heart. 

If  real  Christians,  who  differ  from  each  other  on  some 
abstruse  points  of  theology,  were  to  meet  on  the  ground 


120  TWO    COMMON    ERRORS. 

of  our  common  Christianity,  they  would  be  surprised  to 
find  how  nearly  they  approximate  each  other  in  genuine 
experience  and  practice.  They  would,  with  delightful 
feeling  of  joy,  recognise  a  brother,  where  they  expected 
to  meet  a  foe.  The  weapons  of  controversy  being  thus 
laid  aside,  and  agreeing  to  differ  on  points  confessedly 
abstruse,  and  beyond  the  power  of  finite  reason  to  solve, 
they  would  cheerfully  hold  out  the  right  hand  of  fellow- 
ship, and  exhibit  to  the  world  that  charity  which  is  the 
bond  of  perfectness,  and  the  beauty  of  the  church  of 
Christ. 

This  is  a  state  of  feeling  devoutly  to  be  wished.  May 
this  spirit  of  mutual  love  and  affection  abound  more  and 
more  amongst  the  true  followers  of  the  Lamb.  Then 
will  each  member  of  the  church  militant,  by  his  holy 
walk  and  conversation,  prove  his  election  of  God ;  and 
all  the  members  of  the  body  mystical,  deriving  daily 
nourishment  and  strength  from  their  glorified  head,  be 
growing  in  a  meetness  for  the  "  general  assembly  of  the 
first-born,"  however  they  may  differ  in  their  views  on 
some  of  those  deep  things  of  God  which  can  only  be 
unravelled  in  the  world  of  light  and  glory.  It  is  no 
small  artifice  of  Satan  to  engage  the  mind  about  non- 
essentials, and  to  beget  amongst  Christians  a  spirit  of 
strife  and  contention. 

This  artful  enemy  has  succeeded  too  well  in  all  ages, 
to  the  grief  of  good  men,  to  the  weakening  of  the  good 
cause,  and  to  the  joy  of  the  enemies  of  the  Gospel  of 
Christ.  All  this  only  tends  to  confirm  the  Scripture 
doctrine  of  human  corruption,  and  Satanical  agency. 
It  calls  for  great  watchfulness,  circumspection,  and  pray- 
er ;  as  well  as  humility  and  dependance  on  the  Spirit  of 
truth. 

The  grand  design  of  God,  in  his  revelation  of  mercy, 
is  the  display  of  his  own  perfections  in  the  salvation  of 


TWO    COMMON    ERRORS.  121 

his  fallen  creatures.  Hence,  the  command  to  perishing 
sinners  is  :  "  Look  unto  me,  all  ye  ends  of  the  earth,  and 
be  ye  saved ;  for  I  am  God,  and  there  is  none  else,  and 
besides  me  there  is  no  Saviour."  Whilst  the  exhortation 
to  believers  is  :  "  Work  out  your  own  salvation  with  fear 
and  trembling-,  for  it  is  God  that  worketh  in  you  both  to 
will  and  to  do  of  his  good  pleasure." 

Blessed  Lord,  give  me  that  wisdom  which  is  from 
above.  Preserve  me  from  falling  into  those  errors,  which 
would  excuse  spiritual  sloth,  or  feed  spiritual  pride.  Be- 
stow upon  me  the  spirit  of  prayer ;  and  give  me  grace 
to  live  in  the  spirit  of  my  prayers. 

Cause  me  to  walk  before  thee  with  an  humble,  loving, 
obedient  heart ;  that,  living  a  life  of  faith  in  thy  be- 
loved Son,  I  may  work  by  thee  and  for  thee,  while  it  is 
called  to-day,  before  the  night  cometh  when  no  man  can 
work. 

Where'er  I  turn  my  eyes  within, 
What  loads  of  guilt,  what  depths  of  sin, 
Like  oceans  deep,  like  mountains  high, 
Call  for  the  vengeance  of  the  sky ! 

Deceit,  ambition,  lust,  and  pride, 
Within  the  human  heart  reside ; 
There  Satan,  seated  on  his  throne, 
Claims  the  whole  empire  as  his  own. 

But  Jesus  comes!  the  mighty  Lord ! 
He  wields  the  bright  celestial  sword ; 
The  strong  man  arm'd  is  forced  to  fly, 
Whilst  angels  chant  the  victory. 

Glory  to  God  in  heaven  above, 
On  earth  sweet  peace  and  sacred  love ; 
Good- will  to  men — the  foe  is  foil'd, 
And  God  and  sinners  reconciled. 

Come,  mighty  conqueror  of  the  heart, 
Subdue  my  soul  in  every  partj 
Ascend  thy  long-usurped  throne: 
Be  thou  my  king,  and  thou  alone. 
11 


\%%  CAUSE  OF  SCEPTICISM. 


XXI. ON  THE  CAUSE  OF  SCEPTICISM. 

What  a  multitude  of  opinions  we  find  in  the  religious 
world  !  How  many  different  sects  and  parties  !  each 
walling  themselves  round  with  their  own  peculiar  tenets, 
and  maintaining  their  own  views  of  doctrine  as  the  only 
standard  of  truth.  But,  in  the  midst  of  all  this  diversity 
of  sentiment,  how  busy  is  the  great  enemy  of  souls  ir 
sowing  the  tares  of  uncharitableness,  angry  zeal,  violent 
passions,  and  every  unchristian  temper  in  the  Gospel  field. 

The  visible  church  has  too  long  been  the  arena  for 
combats  which  have  ended  in  deluges  of  blood.  Wit- 
ness those  many  persecutions  which  have  been  carried 
on  by  Christians  against  Christians  in  almost  every  age. 

Oh  Almighty  God,  look  down  upon  thy  church,  the 
vine  which  thine  own  right  hand  hath  planted,  that  the 
boar  out  of  the  wood  may  not  waste  it,  nor  the  wild 
beast  of  the  field  devour  it.  Return,  we  beseech  thee, 
Oh  God  of  hosts ;  look  down  from  heaven,  behold,  and 
visit  this  vine. 

It  may  be  useful  to  inquire,  from  whence  arises  all 
this  angry  disputation  in  the  professing  Christian  world] 
It  arises,  chiefly,  from  the  pride  of  our  hearts. 

To  contend  earnestly  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to 
the  saints,  is  a  duty ;  "  to  give  place,  no,  not  for  an 
hour,"  to  those  who  seek  to  destroy  the  foundation  of 
our  faith,  is  a  duty. 

There  is,  however,  an  existing  evil  of  great  magni- 
tude, and  which  springs  from  that  pride  of  intellect, 
which  seeks  to  be  wise  above  what  is  written. 

Man  is  not  willing  to  act  upon  the  plain,  revealed 
command  of  Heaven.  He  must  search  and  pry  into  the 
secret  counsels  of  Jehovah.  He  wishes  to  ascertain 
why  the  Almighty  issues  such  and  such  commands.     He 


CAUSE    OF    SCEPTICISM.  123 

endeavors  to  bring  every  revelation  from  God  to  the 
rule  and  standard  of  his  own  peculiar  mode  of  reason- 
ing ;  and  when  two  declarations  present  themselves  be- 
fore him,  apparently  opposed  to  each  other,  though  prac- 
tically leading  to  the  same  point,  viz.,  the  glory  of  Gjd 
and  the  salvation  of  the  soul ;  instead  of  humbly  receiv- 
ing both,  as  stated  in  the  word  of  truth,  and  seeking  to 
draw  from  each  the  practical  improvement  intended  by 
them,  he  cannot  rest  till  he  has  filled  up  the  seeming 
chasm  with  his  own  confused  ideas,  thinking  thereby  to 
vindicate  the  ways  of  God  to  man  ! 

Now,  as  each  inquirer  claims  an  equal  right  to  fill  up 
this  chasm  in  his  own  way,  and  as  very  few  will  entirely 
submit  to  the  system  of  another;  so  on  this  account  it  is, 
that  the  Christian  world  is  filled  with  such  heterodox 
opinions. 

Thu^,  leaving  the  sure  path  of  revealed  truth,  men 
plunge  into  an  ocean  of  inexplicable  difficulties,  and,  by 
laboring  to  be  wise  above  what  is  written,  become  very 
fools  in  divine  things. 

Lord,  grant  that  I  may  never  exercise  myself  in  mat- 
ters which  are  too  high  for  me  ;  which  thou  didst  never 
intend  should  be  fully  known  in  this  present  state  ;  nay, 
which  I  cannot  comprehend,  till  the  natural  blindness 
of  my  understanding  be  wholly  removed. 

In  heaven,  all  darkness  will  be  excluded.  Here,  I 
know  but  in  part ;  there,  if  admitted  by  thy  grace,  I 
shall  know,  even  as  also  I  am  known.  Make  my  soul 
then,  Oh  Lord,  as  a  weaned  child.  Give  me  that  sim- 
plicity of  faith  which  cheerfully  receives,  as  truth,  all 
that  thou  hast  revealed,  though  mystery  surround  me 
on  every  side. 

I  find  many  plain  and  clear  declarations,  which  no- 
thing but  a  wilful  hatred  of  the  truth  can  misrepresent 
and  pervert.     On  these  I  would  continually  dwell ;  from 


124  CAUSE    OF    SCEPTICISM. 

them  I  would  draw  all  the  sweetness  and  comfort,  wis- 
dom and  strength,  which  they  were  mercifully  designed 
to  convey.  As  a  new-born  babe,  may  I  desire  the  sin- 
cere milk  of  the  word,  that  I  may  grow  thereby. 

I  find  other  declarations  high  and  sublime ;  far  sur- 
passing man's  understanding.  From  these,  I  would 
learn  humility.  To  these,  I  would  submit  my  reason 
with  humble  reverence.  By  these,  I  would  exercise 
my  faith,  and  place  implicit  confidence  in  the  word  of 
truth,  although  many  things  therein  be  difficult  to  com- 
prehend, and  many  past  finding  out. 

Whilst  St.  Peter  acknowledges  that,  in  the  epistles 
of  his  beloved  brother  Paul,  are  some  things  hard  to  be 
understood;  he  also  declares,  that  the  unlearned  and 
unstable  wrest  them,  as  they  do  also  the  oilier  Scriptures, 
unto  their  own  destruction.  From  these  considerations, 
I  perceive  how  wonderfully  the  holy  Scriptures  are  cal- 
culated to  instruct  the  humble  believer,  whilst  they 
bewilder  the  proud  sceptic. 

Like  the  cloud  in  the  wilderness,  they  afford  light  to 
the  Israel  of  God,  whilst  "the  disputer  of  this  world" 
is  left  in  darkness.  "Who  is  wise,  and  he  shall  under- 
stand these  things ;  prudent,  and  he  shall  know  them ; 
for  the  ways  of  the  Lord  are  right,  and  the  just  shall 
walk  in  them  ;  but  the  transgressors  shall  fall  therein." 

All  speculative  and  practical  errors  originate  in  the 
unbelief  and  pride  of  our  hearts.  We  are  continually 
pained  with  instances  illustrative  of  this  truth. 

Many  who,  to  all  outward  appearance,  set  out  well, 
holding  the  grand  essentials  of  Christianity,  and  exhib- 
iting the  humble  walk  of  the  Christian,  have,  by  de- 
grees, got  so  high  in  doctrines,  as  to  pass  over  the  limits 
of  the  precepts,  considering  every  enforcement  of  the 
moral  law  as  derogatory  to  the  freeness  and  liberty  of 
the  Gospel, 


CAUSE    OF    SCEPTICISM.  125 

The  promises  are  to  them  like  the  manna  for  sweet- 
ness, whilst  the  precepts  resemble  the  bitter  waters  of 
Marah.  By  this  perverted  view  of  the  Gospel  of  grace, 
which  makes  provision  for  the  holiness,  as  well  as  the 
acceptance,  of  the  believer,  they  endeavor  to  disunite 
what  God  has  inseparably  joined  together. 

Advancing  in  their  career  of  bold  inquiry  and  daring 
investigation  ;  leaving  the  precincts  of  the  written  word, 
and  soaring  into  the  interminable  region  of  wild  conjec- 
ture ;  they  fall  at  length,  giddy  with  their  flight,  into 
the  fatal  reveries  of  fanatical  delusion,  sceptical  indiffer- 
ence, Socinian  heresy,  or  deistical  profaneness. 

Such  wandering  stars,  leaving  their  proper  orbit,  afford 
an  awful  warning  to  the  church  of  Christ ;  and  happy 
is  he  who  learns  wisdom  from  their  end,  and  thereby  re- 
sists the  first  risings  of  pride  and  unhallowed  speculation. 

Some,  indeed,  are  restored  by  that  sovereign  grace 
which  they  have  abused ;  whilst  others  are  left  to  the 
misery  of  their  own  delusions,  according  to  St.  Jude, 
who  denominates  them  "wandering  stars,  to  whom  is 
reserved  the  blackness  of  darkness  for  ever." 

In  the  midst  of  surrounding  darkness  and  abounding 
iniquity ;  in  the  midst  of  distracting  opinions  and  guilty 
fears  : — 

Where  must  we  look  for  saving  help  ? 

To  whom  for  refuge  fly? 
Who  dare  presume  to  plead  our  cause 

Before  the  throne  on  high  ? 

'Tis  Jesus  pleads  his  people's  cause, 

Before  th'  eternal  throne; 
Presents  the  merit  of  his  blood, 

And  claims  them  for  his  own. 

Oh !  for  a  lively,  vig'rous  faith, 

To  feel  this  blessing  mine; 
Make  me,  Oh  Lord,  of  saving  grace 

A  monument  divine. 

u* 


126  THE    ALMOST    CHRISTIAN. 

On  thee,  a  helpless  worm  I  fall, 
On  thee  alone  depend  ; 

I'll  trust  thy  grace— 'tis  infinite, 
And  knows  nor  bound  nor  end. 

Father!  behold  me  in  thy  Sonj 
Oh !  send  thy  Spirit  down, 

To  fit  me  for  eternal  joys, 
And  seal  me  for  thy  own. 


XXII. THE    ALMOST    CHRISTIAN. 

In  this  day  of  outward  profession,  it  is  most  needful 
frequently  to  reflect  how  far  a  person  may  go  in  the  way 
of  religion,  and  yet  prove  nothing  at  the  last  but  an  al- 
most Christian.  This  will  prove  to  us  the  importance  of 
self-examination,  since  nothing  is  genuine  that  will  not 
stand  the  test  of  Scripture,  that  only  touchstone  of  real 
godliness. 

A  person  may  have  a  clear  knowledge  of  the  Gospel 
way  of  salvation  ;  be  able  to  declare  the  truths  of  Chris- 
tianity with  interest  and  edification  ;  have  much  fluency 
in  prayer ;  be  punctual  in  his  attendance  on  the  means 
of  grace ;  engage  actively  in  religious  and  benevolent 
institutions  ;  maintain  family  worship  ;  join  the  society 
of  pious  characters  ;  abstain  from  worldly  amusements, 
and  all  outward  immoralities :  and  yet,  with  all  these 
shining  appendages,  be  only  an  almost  Christian. 

This,  to  many,  may  appear  uncharitable,  and  lead 
them  to  exclaim  with  the  disciples,  "  Who  then  can  be 
saved  V 

The  fact  is,  all  these  important  gifts  and  talents  may 
be  possessed,  and  these  active  exertions  may  be  made, 
noon  the  principles  of  our  fallen  nature. 


THE    ALMOST    CHRISTIAN.  127 

A  man  may  have  a  taste  for  scriptural  studies,  and  a 
fondness  for  biblical  criticism  ;  he  may  have  a  natural 
fluency  of  discourse ;  his  connexions  may  be  such  as 
imperceptibly  lead  him  to  join  the  friends  of  religion  in 
their  activities,  and,  by  degrees,  influence  him  to  estab- 
lish family  worship,  to  separate  himself  from  worldly 
amusements  and  worldly  associates  ;  and  yet  there  may 
be  a  total  destitution  of  evangelical  principles.  Faith  work- 
ing by  love  may  be  a  stranger  to  his  heart. 

The  Gospel  declares,  that  "  if  any  man  have  not  the 
Spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none  of  his ;"  that  "  if  any  man 
be  in  Christ,  he  is  a  new  creature;"  that  "except  a  man 
be  born  again,  he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  God." 

The  work  of  grace  being  altogether  internal,  its  ope- 
rations must  be  felt  and  experienced  in  the  heart.  This 
work  consists  in  a  deep  humiliation  on  account  of  sin, 
both  original  and  actual,  whether  of  omission  or  com- 
mission ;  in  a  deep  sense  and  feeling  of  spiritual  help- 
lessness and  wretchedness ;  in  a  hearty  reception  of 
Jesus  Christ,  as  revealed  and  offered  in  the  Gospel  to 
perishing  sinners ;  in  a  supreme  love  of  Him  who  died 
to  save  the  vilest  who  come  unto  him  in  a  childlike  obe- 
dience to  his  will  and  commands,  however  self-denying. 

If  these  things  be  wanting,  all  else  is  nothing  but 
dross  in  the  sight  of  God.  All  short  of  this  divine  work 
in  the  soul  is  only  almost  Christianity. 

It  is  painful  to  the  friends  of  Jesus  to  behold  many 
droop  and  wither,  who  have  given  promising  hopes  of 
future  excellence,  and  almost  confirmed  the  expectations 
of  pious  friends  concerning  their  religious  sincerity. 

These  hopeful  professors  walk  well  for  a  season,  but 
at  length  they  begin  to  draw  back,  by  slow  degrees,  it 
may  be,  at  the  first ;  but,  increasing  in  their  speed  as 
they  advance  in  the  path  of  declension,  they  finally 
plunge  into  the  world,  and  thus  verify  the  true  proverb. 


128  THE    ALMOST    CHRISTIAN. 

"  the  dog  is  turned  to  his  vomit  again,  and  the  sow  that 
was  washed  to  her  wallowing  in  the  mire."  With  un- 
easy consciences,  they  endeavor  to  justify  their  return, 
by  slandering  the  lives  of  professors,  and  speaking  evil 
of  those  things  with  which  they  were  never  savingly 
acquainted.  Such  persons,  if  they  die  in  their  apostacy, 
give  every  reason  to  believe  that  they  never  knew  the 
grace  of  God  in  truth;  that  they  never  received  the 
truth  in  the  love  of  it.  Hence  the  apostle  John,  speaking 
of  such  characters,  plainly  says,  "They  went  out  from  us, 
but  they  were  not  of  us ;  for  if  they  had  been  of  us,  they 
would  no  doubt  have  continued  with  us;  but  they  went  out, 
that  they  might  be  manifest  that  they  were  not  all  of  us." 

We  may  equally  presume  that  they  never  tasted  the 
inward  blessedness  of  true  religion,  even  peace  with  God 
and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  arising  from  a  believing, 
self-appropriating  view  of  the  atonement  of  Jesus. 

When,  therefore,  their  new  mode  of  thinking  and  act- 
ing subsided  ;  when  prosperity  gilded  their  path,  or  per- 
secution covered  it  with  thorns ;  not  having  root  in 
themselves,  and  being  destitute  of  saving  faith,  they 
became  weary  of  a  service,  in  which  their  whole  soul  was 
never  engaged.  They  cast  off  a  yoke,  to  them  galling 
and  grievous,  and  ran  back  again  with  delight  into  the 
secretly  beloved  pastures  of  the  world.  "  Demas  hath 
forsaken  me,"  said  the  sorrowing  apostle,  "  having  loved 
this  present  evil  world." 

Where  is  the  congregation  of  professing  Christians, 
which  does  not  from  time  to  time  afford  melancholy 
proofs  of  this  hollowness  of  character,  this  emptiness  of 
profession,  this  influence  of  the  world,  to  the  grief  of  its 
faithful  pastor,  and  the  pious  part  of  his  flock  ?  Such 
awful  characters  may  be  considered  as  spies,  "  feigning 
themselves  to  be  just  men,"  whom  Satan  sends  into  the 
camp  of  the  true  Israel  of  God,  in  order  to  discover  the 


THE    ALMOST    CHRISTIAN.  129 

failings  and  infirmities  of  real  Christians.  These  they 
traitorously  expose  to  the  derision  of  an  ungodly  world, 
hoping  thereby  to  bring  discredit  upon  the  Gospel  of 
Christ,  and  keep  men  more  quietly  in  their  sins.  God 
can  indeed  overrule  all  for  good,  but  wo  unto  them  by 
whom  these  offences  come. 

It  is,  then,  both  awakening  and  alarming  to  reflect 
how  far  a  person  may  go  in  outward  profession,  and  yet 
be  a  dissembler  with  God ;  an  almost  Christian ;  "  a 
castaway." 

If  the  new  creature  in  Christ  Jesus  can  be  so  counter- 
feited, as  to  deceive  for  a  time  the  children  of  God, 
whose  judgment  is  always  guided  by  that  charity  which 
hopeth  all  things ;  how  ought  I  to  examine  into  the 
principles,  motives,  and  springs  of  my  own  actions,  lest, 
after  having  made  a  profession  before  men,  I  should  be 
rejected  as  "reprobate  silver"  in  that  day,  when  "the 
fire  shall  try  every  man's  work  of  what  sort  it  is  !"  Oh 
what  need  there  is  for  sifting  ourselves  ! 

Blessed  Lord,  make  me  an  humble,  sincere  disciple. 
Let  me  not  covet  after  gifts,  so  much  as  graces ;  and 
after  divine  gifts,  only  that  I  may  be  useful  to  others, 
and  glorify  thee.  I  may  live  in  the  bustle  of  religious 
institutions,  whilst  devoid  of  religious  affections.  I  may 
be  able  to  advocate  the  cause  of  Christ,  whilst  destitute 
of  a  saving  interest  in  his  blood.  I  may  mingle  in  the 
companies  of  the  pious,  and  yet  be  an  utter  stranger  to 
their  spirit  and  experience. 

Nothing  will  stand  the  test  of  the  great  day,  but  faith 
which  worketh  by  love.  My  soul  must  be  united  to 
Christ  by  a  living  faith,  before  my  works  can  be  accept- 
able to  a  holy  God.  Out  of  Christ,  I  am  a  dead  branch. 
In  Christ,  I  become  fruitful,  through  the  skill  of  the 
heavenly  husbandman,  who  pruneth  the  living  branches, 
that  they  may  bring  forth  more  fruit  to  the  glory  of  his 


130  THE    ALMOST    CHRISTIAN. 

grace.  This  blessed  receiving  of  Jesus,  through  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  will  be  accompanied  by  a 
gradual  renewal  of  the  soul  into  his  image ;  and  this 
divine  transformation  will  be  productive  of  works  of 
faith,  labors  of  love,  and  patience  of  hope.  My  heart 
will  become  the  abode  of  peace  and  purity.  High  and 
holy  principles  will  be  implanted  in  richer  abundance. 
I  shall  live  for  Christ.  His  glory  will  be  my  chief  aim, 
his  law  my  soul's  delight.  Holy  love  will  guide  my 
movements,  and  become  the  unceasing  spring  of  holy 
actions.  All  my  desires  will  be  to  him  who  loved  me, 
and  gave  himself  for  me.  This  is  true  Christianity. 
Oh  that  I  may  feel  the  power  of  this  sacred  truth  ! 
Lord,  save  me  from  insincerity  and  hypocrisy,  from  de- 
clension and  apostacy.  Let  me  not  be  satisfied  with 
barren  knowledge  and  outward  profession ;  but  let  thy 
love  rule  in  my  heart,  and  shine  forth  in  my  daily  words 
and  actions,  till  I  am  translated,  through  grace,  to  those 
pure  regions  of  unsullied  happiness,  where  all  thy 
redeemed  people  shall  shine  forth,  as  the  sun  in  the 
kingdom  of  their  Father,  for  ever  and  ever. 

Dear  Jesus,  fill  my  soul 

With  holiness  and  peace  ; 
Arise  with  healing  in  thy  wings,. 

Thou  Sun  of  righteousness. 

May  all  beneath  the  sky 

Usurp  my  heart  no  more ; 
Be  thou  my  first,  my  chief  delight, 

My  soul's  unbounded  store. 

In  thee  all  treasures  lie, 

From  thee  all  blessings  flow ; 
Thou  art  the  bliss  of  saints  above, 

The  joy  of  saints  below. 

Oh  come  and  make  me  thine, 

A  sinner  saved  by  grace ; 
Then  shall  I  sing  with  loudest  strains 

In  heaven,  thy  dwelling-place. 


CONVERSION.  131 

When  standing  round  the  throne, 

Amid  the  ransom'd  throng, 
Thy  praise  shall  be  my  sweet  employ, 

While  love  inspires  my  song. 


XXIII. ON    CONVERSION. 

Wherever  we  look,  we  behold  some  part  of  God's 
works ;  some  remembrancer  of  his  power  and  goodness. 
Then,  why  are  our  thoughts  so  seldom  led  "  through 
nature,  up  to  nature's  God  V9 

Here  we  discover  the  influence  of  sin,  which  so  fills 
our  hearts  with  the  love  of  the  creature,  as  to  leave  no 
room  for  the  love  of  the  Creator. 

When  the  Saviour  was  born  into  the  world,  there  was 
no  room  for  him  in  the  inn.  Just  so  it  is  with  our  de- 
praved hearts.  Yet,  wonderful  condescension !  Jesus 
stands  at  the  door  and  knocks,  saying,  "  If  any  man 
hear  my  voice  and  open  the  door,  I  will  come  in  to  him, 
and  will  sup  with  him,  and  he  with  me." 

And  does  not  every  heart  fly  open  to  receive  the  heav- 
enly visitant  ?  Alas,  no  !  Satan  puts  on  the  threefold 
bar  of  unbelief,  pride,  and  prejudice;  whilst  inbred  sin, 
afraid  of  losing  its  darling  gratifications,  opposes  every 
effort  to  admit  so  kind  a  friend.  The  flesh  pleads  hard 
for  self-indulgence  ;  the  world  spreads  its  painted  bau- 
bles, its  deceitful  riches,  its  empty  honors,  its  intoxica- 
ting pleasures  ;  and  thus  the  sinner  is  held  in  vassalage 
to  the  powers  of  darkness. 

Is,  then,  the  heart  for  ever  barred  against  the  Prince 
of  peace  1  For  ever  barred  it  would  be,  did  not  sove- 
reign grace,  by  its  almighty  power,  drive  out  the  strong 
man  armed,  crucify  each  rebellious  lust,  and  bring  every 
thought  into  captivity  to  the  obedience  of  Christ. 


132  CONVERSION. 

When  grace  opens  the  sinner's  heart,  all  the  powers 
of  the  soul  are  made  willing  to  admit  the  conquering  Sa- 
viour, and  to  acknowledge  him  to  be  the  Lord.  Old 
favorite  sins  now  become  hateful ;  darling  lusts  appear 
like  inbred  vipers.  Satan  is  beheld  in  all  his  horrors, 
and  vice  in  its  true  deformity.  The  world  loses  its 
charms.  Heaven  opens  on  the  enraptured  eye  of  faith. 
Holiness  captivates  the  heart  by  its  celestial  beauties. 
Jesus  is  beheld  with  rising  admiration,  and  becomes  each 
day  more  precious  to  the  soul. 

Such  is  the  wonderful  change  wrought  in  the  conver- 
sion of  a  sinner,  through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Unbelief  gives  way  to  faith  ;  pride  to  humility  ;  anger 
to  meekness  ;  impatience  to  resignation  ;  hatred  to  love  ; 
and  sin  to  universal  holiness.  The  idol,  self,  falls  pros- 
trate before  Jesus  Christ ;  and  nothing  is  extolled,  or 
trusted  in,  or  pleaded  before  the  throne  of  God,  but  the 
precious  blood  and  righteousness  of  Emanuel.  All  glory 
is  now  given  to  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost ;  and 
the  Triune  God  is  all  in  all. 

It  is  to  be  feared  that  thousands,  who  call  themselves 
Christians,  will  never  be  acknowledged  as  such  in  that 
day,  when  the  secrets  of  all  hearts  shall  be  revealed,  and 
the  real  character  of  every  professor  of  godliness  dis- 
tinctly known. 

Too  many,  it  is  to  be  feared,  substitute  a  general  ac- 
knowledgment of  the  truths  of  the  Bible,  for  that  faith 
in  those  truths  which  purifies  the  heart,  and  assimilates 
the  soul  to  the  image  of  Jesus. 

It  is  no  difficult  thing  to  say,  "  I  believe  in  God  the 
Father  Almighty,  maker  of  heaven  and  earth ;  and  in 
Jesus  Christ,  his  only  Son  our  Lord."  But,  to  feel  all 
the  love,  reverence,  and  obedience,  which,  as  creatures 
and  redeemed  sinners,  we  owe  to  our  God  and  Saviour, 
is  not  so  easy  to  fallen  nature. 


CONVERSION.  133 

It  is  no  way  contrary  to  our  carnal  heart  to  profess, 
and  even  strenuously  to  contend  for,  those  truths  which 
we  have  been  taught  from  our  infancy  to  consider  as 
sacred ;  or  to  extol  that  church,  in  whose  bosom  we  have 
grown  up  from  earliest  years. 

But,  to  exhibit  the  fruit  of  those  doctrines,  and  to  act 
agreeably  to  the  spiritual  formularies  of  our  venerable 
establishment,  is  not  so  congenial  to  the  natural  state 
of  our  depraved  hearts.  So  long  as  thousands,  who 
bear  the  Christian  name,  live  in  all  the  gayeties  and  fol- 
lies of  the  world  ;  neglecting  the  Gospel,  and  manifest- 
ing a  spirit  in  direct  opposition  to  it :  we  cannot  wonder 
that  such  multitudes,  carried  away  by  the  potent  stream 
of  public  example,  rest  satisfied  with  a  faith  which  passes 
current  in  the  world,  which  attaches  no  odium  to  the 
character,  which  requires  no  self-denial,  no  painful 
sacrifices  on  the  part  of  its  possessors. 

Many,  no  doubt,  rejoice  that  they  are  preserved  from 
such  delusions  as  they  suppose  the  people  of  God  labor 
under,  who  debar  themselves  from  what  they  term  the 
innocent  gayeties  of  life,  and  the  delights  of  fashionable 
dissipation.  These  persons  pride  themselves  on  their 
superior  wisdom  in  being  able  to  grasp  both  worlds  at 
once ;  to  acknowledge  the  importance  of  Christianity, 
and  yet  to  enjoy  those  animal  gratifications  which  give 
such  a  zest  to  their  existence.  Thus  they  go  on,  like 
the  rich  man  in  the  parable,  faring  sumptuously  every 
day  ;  and  never  find  out  their  dreadful  mistake,  till,  like 
him,  they  open  their  eyes  in  hell,  being  in  torments  ! 

How  awfully  blinded  is  the  soul  of  man,  until  illu- 
minated by  the  Holy  Spirit  of  truth !  Till  his  glorious 
light  irradiate  our  minds,  we  can  form  no  accurate  ideas 
either  of  God  or  of  ourselves.  All  is  chaos  and  confu- 
sion. We  do  not  even  see  men  as  trees  walking.  We 
are  in  a  state  of  complete  blindness,  and  all  our  concep- 

\% 


134  CONVERSION. 

tions  are  erroneous.  We  grope  in  the  dark.  We  stum- 
ble even  at  noonday. 

How  different  from  that  cold  assent  of  the  understand- 
ing to  the  general  truths  of  the  Gospel,  which  satisfies 
an  unbelieving  world,  is  the  faith  which  the  Spirit  of 
God  works  in  the  hearts  of  his  people. 

The  believer  in  Jesus  is  the  new  creation  of  God. 
His  mind  is  enlightened  from  above.  His  heart  is  made 
to  feel  its  guilt  and  misery.  He  reads  the  word  of  Gor* 
with  an  interest  unfelt  before.  He  reads  it  as  a  revela- 
tion of  love  from  the  God  of  mercy,  proclaiming  pardon 
to  the  guilt)',  peace  to  the  miserable,  and  purity  to  the 
polluted.  Every  declaration  bears,  to  his  mind,  the 
stamp  of  truth.  He  requires  no  other  sanction  than 
"  thus  saith  the  Lord ;"  and,  finding  this,  he  reads  with 
reverence,  and  seeks  for  grace  to  receive  with  all  meek- 
ness the  engrafted  word  which  is  able  to  save  his  soul. 
He  finds  his  own  character  exactly  portrayed  in  its  sa- 
cred pages.  He  looks  within,  and  is  able  to  trace  sin 
through  the  dark  recesses  and  secret  windings  of  his 
heart.  He  discovers  those  latent  seeds  of  evil,  those 
bitter  springs  of  misery,  unbelief,  and  pride,  and  lust, 
and  covetousness,  which  are  continually  pouring  forth 
their  deadly  streams  into  his  outward  life.  He  traces 
all  this  evil  to  the  fall  of  man,  and  finds  that  the  deadly 
poison  has  contaminated  the  whole  posterity  of  Adam. 
He  owns  himself  a  sinner,  both  by  nature  and  practice. 
He  justifies  the  righteous  judgment  of  God,  whose  law 
he  has  broken,  and  whose  tremendous  curse  he  has  so 
awfully  incurred.  He  no  longer  tries  to  palliate  his 
offences,  or  invent  soft  names  whereby  to  varnish  over 
the  deformity  of  sin.  He  frankly  and  fully  confesses 
himself  a  rebel,  guilty  of  death,  and  deserving  of  no- 
thing less  than  eternal  damnation. 

Into  this  humble,  broken,  contrite  state  of  heart,  he 


CONVERSION.  135 

is  brought  by  the  deep  convictions  of  that  Holy  Spirit, 
whose  office  it  is  "  to  convince  the  world  of  sin." 

But  does  this  divine  agent  leave  him  in  this  awakened 
state  of  agony  and  despair  ?  Ah,  no  !  How  good,  how 
gracious,  how  merciful  is  God  !  He  wounds  in  order  to 
heal ;   he  kills  in  order  to  make  alive. 

When  a  person  labors  under  a  violent  fever,  every 
expedient  is  tried  to  reduce  the  wasting  malady.  The 
means  used,  seem,  for  a  time,  to  increase  the  weakness 
and  debility  of  the  patient :  but  he  is  thus  weakened 
only  that  he  may  eventually  become  strong.  No  sooner 
is  the  consuming  fever  abated,  than  cordials  and  restora- 
tives are  freely  administered,  which,  given  before,  would 
have  augmented  the  dangerous  symptoms,  and  thus  have 
hastened  on  the  fatal  consequences  of  the  disease. 

Thus,  our  heavenly  Physician  humbles  and  subdues 
the  proud  heart  of  the  sinner,  and  destroys  the  feverish 
thirst  and  burning  desire  after  sinful  gratifications,  be- 
fore he  imparts  the  reviving  cordials  of  pardon  and  peace 
to  restore  the  sin-sick  soul  to  spiritual  strength  and  vigor. 

Then  the  bloom  of  health  begins  to  appear  in  the 
sweet  tints  of  peace  and  joy,  of  love  and  humility,  of 
meekness  and  heavenly-mindedness,  which  beautify  the 
soul,  and  cause  the  believer  to  shine  in  the  image  of  his 
divine  Redeemer. 

The  happy  believer  now  knows  his  malady  and  his 
remedy.  He  takes  with  gratitude  those  medicines  which 
Infinite  Wisdom  prescribes.  He  daily  feeds  upon  Christ 
by  faith,  and  daily  derives  strength  from  this  gracious 
source  of  blessedness.  He  feels  his  own  weakness,  and 
experiences  the  power  of  Jesus.  He  loathes  himself, 
and  truly  loves  his  Saviour,  in  whose  righteousness  he 
appears  all  lovely  in  the  eyes  of  his  heavenly  Father. 
As  a  pilgrim,  he  journeys  onwards  under  the  guidance 
of  that  Holy  Spirit  who  dwells  in  him  as  in  a  temple, 


136  CONVERSION 

and  who  has  promised  to  keep  him  by  his  mighty  power 
through  faith  unto  salvation.  The  world  fascinates  no 
longer.  The  mask  falls  from  its  face,  and  he  beholds 
Uie  idol  in  its  natural  deformity.  He  sees  the  emptiness 
of  human  applause  ;  the  madness  of  ambition ;  the  de- 
ceitfulness  of  riches  ;  the  folly  of  dissipation.  Every 
thing  beneath  the  sun  assumes  its  true  character,  whilst 
he  views  it  through  the  medium  of  God's  holy  word. 

He  learns  to  form  a  proper  estimate  of  temporal  things 
He  prays  for  grace  to  use  the  world  as  not  abusing  it ; 
to  be  moderate  in  the  enjoyment  of  all  created  good ; 
knowing  that  the  fashion  of  this  world  passeth  away. 

Has  the  believer  no  enjoyment  of  life  1  Is  he  desti- 
tute of  all  rational  delights  because  he  makes  the  Lord 
his  portion  I  It  would  be  an  impeachment  of  the  good- 
ness of  God,  to  suppose  his  service  a  mere  Egyptian 
bondage. 

The  true  believer  in  Jesus  has  the  sweetest  enjoyment 
of  life.  He  can  eat  his  meat  with  singleness  of  heart, 
praising  God.  He  can  taste  the  sweets  of  Christian 
friendship  and  domestic  life :  he  can  enjoy  all  the  en- 
dearing charities  of  husband,  father,  brother :  he  can 
feel  his  heart  expanding  towards  the  poor,  and  find  his 
joy  in  pouring  the  balm  of  consolation  into  the  troubled 
breast :  he  can  delight  in  all  the  beauties  of  natural 
scenery,  and  relish  all  the  charms  of  sound  philosophy: 
he  can  rejoice  in  every  opening  prospect  for  the  exten- 
sion of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  through  institutions 
devised  by  Christian  wisdom  and  conducted  in  Christian 
simplicity :  he  can  weep  in  his  best  moments  over  the 
ruins  of  the  fall,  not  only  as  felt  in  his  own  heart,  but 
as  beheld  in  the  abject  condition  of  the  millions  of  man- 
kind :  he  can  rejoice  with  them  that  do  rejoice,  and 
weep  with  them  that  weep.  Say,  then,  can  such  a  man 
be  miserable  ]  can  such  a  man  be  destitute  of  sources 


THE    NEW    CREATURE.  137 

of  real  enjoyment  1  He  lives  by  faith ;  he  longs  for 
heaven  ;  he  desires  to  be  daily  conformed  to  Jesus,  and 
to  glorify  him  more,  whether  it  be  by  life  or  death.  To 
him,  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain. 

Such  is  the  character  of  the  converted  sinner.  Oh 
how  precious,  how  divine,  how  rare  a  character  !  Lord, 
impart  this  grace  unto  me,  who  am  less  than  the  least 
of  all  thy  mercies,  till  faith  shall  end  in  the  glorious 
fruition  of  thyself  in  thy  everlasting  kingdom  of  light 
and  glory. 

Blest  Saviour,  condescend 

To  dwell  within  my  heart ; 
Be  thou  my  advocate  and  friend  j 

Bid  every  sin  depart. 

Incline  my  soul  to  love 

The  path  of  life  divine ; 
In  concord  let  my  passions  move, 

Let  all  my  heart  be  thine. 

Preserve  me  by  thy  care ; 

Protect  me,  lest  I  stray  ; 
Keep  me  from  Satan's  deadly  snare, 

From  ev'ry  devious  way. 

Let  angel-guards  surround, 

And  shield  my  soul  from  ill ; 
Whilst  travelling  o'er  temptation's  ground, 

To  Zion's  holy  hill. 

When  death  the  message  brings 

To  call  me  hence  away, 
O  may  I  stretch  my  joyful  wings 

To  heaven'*  eternal  day ! 


XXIV. ON    THE    NEW    CREATURE. 

The  heart  cannot  be  too  deeply  impressed  with  the 
absolute  necessity  of  regenerating  grace,  nor  seek  too 
earnestly  for  the  promised  blessing. 

12* 


138  THE    NEW    CREATURE. 

If  the  value  of  one  immortal  soul  exceeds  in  amount 
all  the  wealth  of  the  globe,  yea,  of  millions  of  material 
worlds,  how  strange  that  men  should  barter  their  souls 
for  trifles  light  as  air,  and  empty  as  vanity  itself! 

Awful  infatuation  ! — By  many  persons,  faith  is  con- 
sidered as  the  cheapest  commodity,  and  of  the  most  easy 
attainment ;  forgetting  that  the  eternal  Son  of  God  paid 
the  price  of  his  own  most  precious  blood,  that  we  might 
receive  this  heavenly  grace,  and  be  made  partakers  of 
everlasting  glory. 

Faith  is  the  gift  of  God  ;  and,  if  any  man  be  in  Christy 
or,  in  other  words,  if  any  man  possess  this  gift  of  faith, 
he  is  a  new  creature  ;  with  him,  old  things  have  passed 
away ;  and  behold,  all  things  have  become  new. 

Ah  !  how  little  is  this  delightful,  yet  solemn  truth, 
considered  by  the  great  bulk  of  professing  Christians  ! 
Solemn  indeed,  when  viewed  in  reference  to  Christians 
in  general;  delightful,  when  contemplated  in  connexion 
with  the  present  holiness  and  future  happiness  of  the 
new  creation  of  God. 

To  be  made  new  creatures,  two  important  changes 
must  pass  upon  us.  We  must  be  renewed  in  the  spirit 
of  our  mind  ;  and  we  must  walk  before  God  in  newness 
of  life. 

He  who  commanded  the  light  to  shine  out  of  darkness, 
must  shine  into  our  hearts,  to  give  us  the  light  of  the 
knowledge  of  his  glory  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ,  before 
we  can  walk  in  the  light,  as  he  is  in  the  light.  When 
thus  enlightened,  we  shall  walk  circumspectly ;  watch 
ourselves  narrowly ;  feel  our  own  helplessness ;  lament 
our  depravity ;  cast  ourselves  on  Jesus  unreservedly ; 
plead  his  merits  ;  implore  his  mediation  ;  pray  without 
ceasing ;  delight  in  the  Scriptures ;  love  the  people  of 
God  ;  shun  carnal  pleasures  ;  delight  in  labor  for  Christ 
and  souls  ;  stem  the  torrent  of  general  impiety,  and  seek 


THE    NEW    CREATURE.  139 

to  abound  in  every  good  word  and  work.  If  this  be  a 
faithful  miniature  of  the  new  creature,  we  must,  whilst 
looking-  at  unconverted  man,  exclaim,  "  What  hath  God 
wrought !" 

The  true  believer  has  been  justly  compared  to  a  little 
flame  miraculously  burning  in  the  midst  of  mighty  wa- 
ters. There  is  every  thing  around  him  and  within  him 
that  is  calculated  to  extinguish  the  holy  fire.  Satan, 
the  prince  of  the  powers  of  the  air,  is  constantly  agi- 
tating these  troubled  waters.  The  world  is  dashing  its 
surges  against  it ;  and  the  flesh,  with  its  mire  and  dirt, 
is  laboring  to  smother  the  sacred  flame.  But  all  is  vain. 
He  who  kindled  it,  is  Almighty ;  he  who  has  promised 
that  it  shall  never  go  out,  is  Almighty. 

Oh,  then,  let  not  the  afflicted,  tempest-tossed  believer 
be  dismayed,  but  rather  rejoice,  inasmuch  as  the  power 
and  grace  of  Jesus  are  glorified  by  those  very  trials, 
which  tend  to  increase  the  graces  of  his  redeemed  peo- 
ple. St.  John  hath  declared,  that  "he  that  believeth  on 
the  Son  of  God  hath  the  witness  in  himself." 

If,  then,  we  are  new  creatures  in  Christ  Jesus,  we 
shall  have  the  following  indubitable  evidence  of  regene- 
ration in  our  souls : 

Our  perceptions  will  he  new.  A  divine  light  will  break 
in  upon  our  minds.  The  darkness  of  error,  which  ob- 
scured the  truth  from  our  view,  will  be  dissipated.  We 
shall  see  with  unveiled  face,  as  in  a  glass,  the  glory  of 
the  Lord,  and  shall  be  changed  into  the  same  image, 
from  glory  to  glory,  even  as  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord. 
In  his  light,  we  shall  see  light ;  and,  following  Jesus, 
who  is  the  light  of  the  world,  we  shall  become  the  chil- 
dren of  the  light  and  of  the  day. 

Our  principles  will  be  new.  We  shall  act  from  pure, 
holy,  disinterested  motives.  Faith  working  by  love  will 
be  the  grand  moving  principle.     Self  will  no  longer  be 


140  THE    NEW    CREATURE. 

the  pivot  on  which  we  turn,  but  Jesus  will  be  our  all  in 
all. 

Our  practice  will  be  new.  We  shall  live  no  longer 
according  to  the  sinful  customs  of  the  world,  or  the  pow- 
erful solicitations  of  the  flesh,  but  according  to  the  holy 
precepts  of  the  everlasting  Gospel.  We  shall  delight  in 
the  law  of  God  after  the  inward  man.  It  will  be  our 
meat  and  drink  to  do  the  will  of  our  Father  which  is  in 
heaven. 

Our  plans  will  be  new.  We  shall  dedicate  ourselves, 
and  all  we  have  and  are,  to  the  service  of  that  divine 
Saviour  who  loved  us,  and  gave  himself  for  us.  We 
shall  not  be  daily  occupied  in  forming  plans  for  worldly 
pleasure,  or  projecting  schemes  for  the  acquisition  of 
worldly  profit ;  but  in  devising  means  for  carrying  on 
the  cause  of  truth,  and  for  spreading  the  knowledge  of 
a  crucified  Redeemer  throughout  the  earth. 

Our  prospects  will  be  new.  The  darkness  being  past, 
and  the  true  light  now  shining,  we  shall  see  the  dis- 
tant radiance  of  the  heavenly  Zion,  and  behold,  with 
she  telescopic  eye  of  faith,  the  land  which  is  very  far 
off. 

Our  privileges  will  be  new.  God  will  be  now  our  recon- 
ciled Father ;  Jesus,  our  elder  brother,  Saviour,  and 
friend  ;  the  Holy  Ghost,  our  sanctifier  and  comforter ; 
angels,  our  ministering  spirits  ;  and  heaven,  our  eternal 
home. 

Our  portion  will  be  new.  All  those  exceeding  great 
and  precious  promises,  which  in  Christ  are  yea,  and  in 
him  amen,  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  God,  will  be  ours. 
We  shall  be  heirs  of  God,  and  joint  heirs  with  Christ. 
We  shall  be  the  citizens  of  the  New  Jerusalem,  and 
inherit  that  kingdom  which  is  incorruptible  and  unde- 
nted, prepared  for  all  the  new  creatures  in  Christ  Jesus, 
before  the  foundation  of  the  world. 


CHRISTIAN    UNITY.  141 

To  sum  up  all  this  blessedness,  we  shall  experience  in 
this  world  a  progression  in  holiness,  and  in  the  world  to 
come,  a  perpetuity  of  bliss. 

Blessed  Lord  !  my  soul  longs  for  this  rich  grace,  this 
unspeakably  glorious  state.  O  suffer  me  not  to  lie 
a  moment  longer  in  nature's  darkness ;  but  speak  thou 
the  word,  and  light  shall  start  into  existence.  Then 
shall  the  lineaments  of  the  new  creature,  formed  to  thy 
glory,  be  daily  unfolding  themselves  in  greater  likeness 
to  thyself,  till  the  happy  hour  shall  arrive,  when  every 
remnant  of  corruption  shall  be  for  ever  destroyed,  and 
my  soul  be  made  perfect  in  thy  everlasting  kingdom 

Lord,  what  I  want,  and  still  implore, 
Is  grace  to  love  thee  more  and  more ; 
A  heart  renew'd — set  free  from  sin, 
And  fill'd  with  heav'nly  light  within. 

Oh  could  I  reach  this  blissful  state  I 
For  this,  my  longing  soul  shall  wait, 
Till  sov'reign  love,  with  mighty  power, 
Shall  on  my  soul  the  blessing  shower. 

Then,  when  the  sacred  drops  descend 
From  Jesus,  my  almighty  friend , 
The  fruits  of  joy  and  peace  shall  grow, 
And  all  the  garden  spices  flow. 

"With  holy  love  and  humble  joy 
Shall  grace  my  ev'ry  pow'r  employ, 
Till,  far  removed  from  sin  and  shame, 
My  soul  shall  ever  bless  thy  name. 


XXV. ON    CHRISTIAN    UNITY. 

We  read  much  in  the  New  Testament  about  Chris- 
tian unity.  The  strength  and  beauty  of  the  church 
consists  in  the  oneness  between  Christ  and  his  people. 


142  CHRISTIAN    UNITY. 

How  powerful  were  the  pleadings  of  our  great  Advo- 
cate for  the  unity  of  his  redeemed  people !  "  Holy- 
Father,  keep  through  thine  own  name,  those  whom  thou 
liast  given  me,  that  they  may  be  one,  as  we  are;"  "that 
they  all  may  be  one  ;  as  thou,  Father,  art  in  me,  and  I 
in  thee,  that  they  also  may  be  «  -tie  in  us  :  that  the  world 
may  believe  that  thou  hast  Bent  me.  And  the  glory 
which  thou  gavest  me,  I  have  given  them,  that  they 
may  be  one,  even  as  we  are  one  :  I  in  them,  and  thou 
in  me,  that  they  may  be  made  perfect  in  one  ;  and  that 
the  world  may  know  that  thou  hast  sent  me,  and  hast 
loved  them,  as  thou  hast  loved  me." 

St.  Paul  also  dwells  much  on  this  important  subject : 
"  By  one  Spirit  are  we  all  baptized  into  one  body — and 
have  all  been  made  to  drink  into  one  spirit."  "  Be  per- 
fect, be  of  good  comfort,  be  of  one  mind."  "  I  beseech 
you,  brethren,  by  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
that  you  all  speak  the  same  thing,  and  that  there  be  no 
divisions  among  you :  but  that  ye  be  perfectly  joined  to- 
gether in  the  same  mind  and  in  the  same  judgment." 
"Now  the  God  of  patience  and  consolation  grant  you 
to  be  like-minded  one  toward  another,  according  to  Christ 
Jesus ;  that  ye  may  with  one  mind  and  one  mouth  glo- 
rify God,  even  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

From  our  Lord's  intercessory  prayer,  we  learn  that  all 
who  are  the  subjects  of  grace,  are  the  gift  of  the  Father 
to  the  Son  ;  that  to  such  the  Son  gives  eternal  life  ;  that 
the  beginning  of  this  eternal  life  is  to  know  the  only 
true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ  whom  he  has  sent ;  that  this 
knowledge  is  imparted  by  Jesus  Christ  through  the 
teaching  of  the  Spirit  of  truth,  the  Comforter ;  that  this 
knowledge  is  of  a  sanctifying  nature  ;  that  it  leads  to 
a  separation  from  the  world,  and  a  union  to  each  other ; 
that  these  happy  souls  are  kept  from  the  evil  that  is  in 
the  world,  and  preserved  unto  eternal  glory. 


CHRISTIAN    UNITV.  143 

Hence,  all  strife,  divisions,  and  contentions,  disfigure 
the  beauty  and  tarnish  the  glory  of  the  church  of  God. 

St.  Paul  sharply  reproves  the  Corinthian  church  for 
their  want  of  unity  :  "  Ye  are  yet  carnal :  for  whereas 
there  is  among  you  envying,  and  strife,  and  divisions, 
are  ye  not  carnal,  and  walk  as  men  f9  Whilst  10  the 
Ephesian  converts  he  gives  this  beautiful  exhortation  : 
"  I,  therefore,  the  prisoner  of  the  Lord,  beseech  you  that 
ye  walk  worthy  of  the  vocation  wherewith  ye  are  called, 
with  all  lowliness  and  meekness,  with  long-suffering,  for- 
bearing one  another  in  love  ;  endeavoring  to  keep  the 
unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace.  There  is  one 
body  and  one  spirit,  even  as  ye  are  called  in  one  hope 
of  your  calling  ;  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  baptism  ;  one 
God  and  Father  of  all,  who  is  above  all,  and  through 
all,  and  in  you  all." 

It  may  be  asked,  "  Is  it  possible  that  all  who  profess 
to  believe  in  the  truths  of  the  Bible,  will  ever  be  brought 
to  see  every  thing  in  the  same  light,  and  to  follow,  in  every 
minute  particular,  the  same  track  of  thinking  and  acting?" 

This  unity  may,  and  ought  to  be  maintained,  in  the 
grand  essentials  of  the  Gospel.  And  a  beautiful  union 
of  faith  and  practice,  of  sentiment  and  feeling,  r'oes  ex- 
ist amongst  real  Christians  of  all  denominations,  how- 
ever they  may  differ  about  the  terms  and  explications  of 
some  abstruse  doctrines,  or  respecting  the  outward  forms 
and  modes  of  church  government:  "for  the  kingdom 
of  God  is  not  in  word,  but  in  power."  "  It  is  not  meat 
and  drink,  but  righteousness,  and  peace,  and  joy  in  the 
Holy  Ghost."  When  these  holy  characters  freely  un- 
bosom their  hearts  to  each  other,  and  discourse  together 
on  experimental  and  practical  subjects,  they  find  them- 
selves standing  on  one  common  ground — connected  by 
one  common  tie — united  in  one  common  cause — and 
drinking  into  one  and  the  self-same  spirit. 


144  CHRISTIAN    UNITT. 

They  all  mourn  over,  and  are  deeply  humbled,  on  ao 
count  of  the  corruption  of  their  nature  and  the  sin  of 
their  lives.  They  all  feel  the  plague  of  their  own  hearts, 
and  so  groan,  being  burdened.  They  all  are  conscious 
of  their  utter  inability  to  save  themselves.  They  all 
know  that  they  are  naturally  without  strength.  They 
are  all  enabled,  through  grace,  to  look  unto  Jesus, 
the  eternal  Son  of  God,  as  their  only  Saviour,  whose 
blood  cleanseth  them  from  all  sin ;  whose  merits,  re- 
ceived and  applied  by  faith,  form  their  only  justifying 
righteousness  ;  whose  intercession  for  them  prevails  with 
God  ;  whose  promised  gift,  the  Spirit  of  truth,  dwells  in 
their  hearts,  causing  them  to  cry  with  filial  love  and 
confidence,  Abba,  Father. 

They  all  know  and  feel  that  they  thus  become  the 
children  of  God  by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus ;  and,  enjoying 
the  presence  and  grace  of  their  heavenly  Father  through 
the  Son  of  his  love,  they  are  all  enabled  to  resist  the 
devil,  to  crucify  the  flesh,  to  renounce  the  world,  and 
gradually  to  perfect  holiness  in  the  fear  of  God. 

They  all  confess  how  low  their  highest  efforts  fall  be- 
neath the  elevated  standard  of  Gospel  holiness  ;  yet, 
forgetting  the  things  which  are  behind,  they  press  for- 
ward towards  those  things  which  are  before,  and  long 
for  that  happy  period,  when,  having  laid  down  their 
bodies  of  sin  and  death,  they  shall  shine  in  spotless 
purity  in  the  courts  above. 

With  these  feelings  and  impressions,  they  all  confess 
themselves  to  be  pilgrims  and  strangers  upon  earth. 
Their  hearts  are  set  upon  things  above.  They  sympa- 
thize with  each  other's  sorrows,  and  gladden  with  each 
other's  joy.  They  love  to  bear  each  other's  burdens, 
and  so  fulfil  the  law  of  Christ. 

As  they  all  believe  in  the  glorious  doctrine  of  the 
Trinity  in  Unity,  and  in  the  divine  and  human  nature 


CHRISTIAN    UNITY.  145 

of  Jesus  Christ,  so  ihey  unitedly  confess  themselves  to 
be  sinners  saved  by  grace  through  faith  in  a  crucified 
Redeemer,  and  ascribe  all  their  salvation,  from  first  to 
]ast,  to  the  free,  unmerited  mercy  of  God  in  Christ. 
Thus,  whilst  they  acknowledge  the  justice  of  that  sen- 
tence which  condemns  them,  as  sinners,  to  everlasting 
misery,  they  extol  the  vastness  of  that  love  which  so 
freely  saves  them  from  the  wrath  to  come.  With  these 
holy  views  of  the  truth,  they-  can  each  say  from  the 
heart, 

"  My  power  is  lost — the  fault  is  wholly  mine ; 
Yet  bid  me  live — the  glory  shall  be  thine." 

Now,  if  every  faithful  follower  of  Jesus  can  subscribe 
to  these  common  points  of  Christian  doctrine  and  expe- 
rience, what  is  it  that  divides  and  separates  the  true 
family  of  Christ  1  Is  it  not  the  remaining  corruption  of 
our  nature,  the  remaining  darkness  of  our  mind,  and 
the  subtle  enemy  of  our  souls  %  These  are  the  foes 
which  disturb  the  peace  of  the  Church,  and  destroy 
much  of  her  purity  and  spiritual  prosperity. 

Oh!  that  the  Holy  Spirit  may  purge  away  this  old 
leaven  of  malice  and  wickedness,  and  fill  us  with  sin- 
cerity and  truth  ;  that  we  may  become  a  new  lump ;  be 
all  new  creatures  in  Christ  Jesus  ;  shine  as  lights  in  the 
world  ;  and  so  advance  that  kingdom  of  holiness  upon 
earth,  which  is  criminally  impeded  in  its  progress,  and 
marred  in  its  beauty,  by  the  disfiguring  contentions, 
strifes,  and  divisions  of  those  who  call  themselves  the 
followers  of  the  Lamb. 

In  the  revelation  of  mercy,  as  in  the  visible  works  of 
creation,  there  are  mysteries  which  our  finite  minds  can- 
not fathom  ;  for  what  is  man  that  he  should  be  wise  as 
his  Maker]  And  yet  how  many  dare  to  reject  the 
oracles  of  God,  because  they  cannot  comprehend  their 

13 


146  CHRISTIAN    UNITY. 

elevated  truths,  or  square  their  seemingly  discordant 
statements  with  their  preconceived  systematic  opinions. 

The  word  of  God  is  "  as  a  city  which  is  at  unity  with 
itself."  All  is  plain  and  clear  to  the  divine  Mind,  who 
sees  the  end  from  the  beginning,  and  who  knows  the 
infinitely  varied  movements  of  his  own  vast  design. 

We  see  but  a  small  part  of  his  ways.  Many  a  wheel 
enters  into  those  darknesses  of  his  impenetrable  counsel, 
which  we  cannot  trace.  But  still  it  is  moving  onward 
in  direct  progression  towards  that  glorious  period,  when 
the  whole  stupendous  work  of  mercy  shall  be  displayed 
to  the  Church  triumphant  in  heaven,  and  call  forth  her 
eternal  songs  of  praise. 

There,  in  that  bright  world,  those  saints  of  God  who 
differed  here  below  respecting  some  mysterious  points  of 
deep  concealment,  will  see  with  one  vision. 

The  darkness  being  gone,  the  veil  being  withdrawn, 
and  the  truth  standing  fully  revealed  to  their  enraptured 
souls  in  all  its  beauty,  symmetry,  and  perfection,  they 
will  then  utter  no  jarring  sentiment ;  feel  no  uncharita- 
ble emotion ;  experience  no  shyness  of  approach ;  but, 
wrapped  in  holy  admiration  and  humble  reverence  before 
Ijie  throne  of  God,  every  feeling  will  be  love,  and  every 
view  of  the  truth  in  perfect  accordance  with  the  mind 
and  will  of  their  Creator.  There,  with  one  heart  and 
mouth,  they  will  glorify  God  and  the  Lamb,  join  in  the 
same  song,  delight  in  the  same  work ;  being,  in  every 
sense,  one  in  the  presence  of  Him  who,  when  upon  earth, 
interceded  for  his  people  :  "  The  glory  which  thou  gavest 
me,  I  have  given  them,  that  they  may  be  one,  even  as  we 
are  one.  I  in  them,  and  thou  in  me,  that  they  may  be 
made  perfect  in  one"  Well,  then,  might  the  apostle  say 
to  the  Corinthians,  when  lamenting  their  unhappy  dis- 
sensions, "  Are  ye  not  carnal  and  walk  as  men  ;"  as  per- 
sons unconverted,  as  men  destitute  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ? 


CHRISTIAN    UNITY.  147 

While  we  remain  in  the  hody,  differences  of  opinion 
on  points  confessedly  mysterious  must  be  expected ;  but 
may  not  this  be  designed  by  Infinite  Wisdom,  for  the  ex- 
ercise of  charity  and  forbearance  towards  each  other, 
provided  the  great  essentials  of  genuine  Christianity  are 
maintained  and  practically  believed] 

This  incapacity  of  our  minds  to  grasp  the  mighty  de- 
sign of  everlasting  love  towards  creatures  helpless  in 
themselves,  and  unable  to  come  to  God,  (John  vi,  44,) 
and  yet  chargeable  with  the  guilt  of  not  coming  to  him, 
(John  v,  40,)  should  tench  us  humility  and  entire  de- 
pendance  on  the  Spirit  of  truth,  to  direct  us  aright  in  the 
way  of  life  and  salvation. 

The  more  we  know  ourselves,  the  more  we  shall  learn 
to  renounce  our  own  reasonings,  and  to  follow  simply 
the  direction  of  that  blessed  word  which  is  given  us  to 
be  a  light  unto  our  feet  and  a  lamp  unto  our  path.  Je- 
sus said,  "  I  am  the  light  of  the  world ;  he  that  follow- 
eth  me  shall  not  walk  in  darkness,  but  shall  have  the 
light  of  life."  "Walk  while  ye  have  the  light,  lest 
darkness  come  upon  you :  for  he  that  walketh  in  dark- 
ness, knoweth  not  whither  he  goeth.  While  ye  have 
the  light,  believe  in  the  light,  that  ye  may  be  the  chil- 
dren of  light." 

Merciful  Lord,  be  pleased  to  "  cast  thy  bright  beams 
of  light  upon  thy  church,"  that  all  thy  people,  being  en- 
lightened by  the  doctrines  of  thy  word,  may  so  walk  in 
the  light  of  thy  truth,  that  at  length  they  may  attain  to 
everlasting  life. 

Preserve  me,  thy  unworthy  servant,  from  that  unhal- 
lowed curiosity  which  would  presumptuously  pry  into 
those  deep  things  around  which  thou  hast  thrown  an 
impenetrable  veil.  Give  me  a  mind  enlightened  to  dis- 
cover the  truth,  as  it  is  in  Jesus  ;  and  a  heart  to  love  and 
practise  the  truth,  as  it  is  revealed  to  my  soul.     In  the 


148  FOLLOWING    THE    LORD    FULLY. 

fulness  of  Christian  charity,  enable  me  to  say,  "  grace 
be  with  all  them  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sin- 
cerity ;"  and  to  call  every  one  a  brother  who  bears  thy 
holy  image,  takes  up  his  cross,  and  follows  thee. 

Sweet  is  the  joy  by  those  possess'd, 

Who  know  and  love  the  Lord ; 
No  guilty  fears  disturb  their  rest, 

While  leaning  on  his  word. 

Amid  the  ruffling  scenes  of  life, 

They  trust  a  cov'nant  God  j 
While  all  the  angry  sons  of  strife 

Despise  bis  chast'ning  rod. 

Jesus  to  them  his  peace  imparts, 

To  them  his  presence  gives  ; 
He  dwells  by  faith  in  all  their  hearts, 

And  all  their  wants  relieves. 

Thus,  holy  Lord,  may  I  be  bless'd 

With  graces  from  above ; 
Till  peace  and  joy  reign  in  my  breast, 

The  fruit  of  dying  love. 


XXVI. ON  FOLLOWING  THE  LORD  FULLY. 

True  humility  is  a  sweet  and  blessed  grace.  It  is 
the  product  of  Almighty  power.  How  calm  is  the  hum- 
ble soul !  Whilst  storms  and  tempests  rage  with  unre- 
lenting fury  amongst  the  proud  and  haughty  of  man- 
kind, a  serene  and  lovely  sky  smiles  over  those  who  are 
clothed  with  humility.  To  promote  this  desirable  state 
of  heart,  it  is  very  useful  to  study  those  characters  on 
which  Infinite  Truth  has  stamped  a  worth  which  revolv- 
ing ages  cannot  diminish  nor  impair.  Such  are  Enoch, 
Noah,  Abraham,  Job,  David,  Daniel,  and  many  others, 
who  shine  like  stars  in  the  book  of  God. 


FOLLOWING  THE  LORD  FULLY.  149 

We  cannot  but  be  struck,  whilst  taking  this  survey, 
with  the  blessed  testimony  which  God  gave  to  Caleb  ; 
Num.  xiv,  24.  He  is  there  said  to  be  a  man  *•  of  an- 
other spirit"  from  the  unbelieving  Israelites  around 
him  ;  and  "  to  have  followed  the  Lord  fully,"  at  a  time 
when  the  most  awful  defection  took  place  amongst  the 
professed  people  of  God. 

To  follow  the  Lord  fully,  is,  indeed,  a  great  work  ; 
and  yet,  nothing  less  than  this,  will  bring  us  to  heaven. 
The  work  is  the  Lord's.  "  By  grace  are  ye  saved, 
through  faith  ;  and  that  not  of  yourselves :  it  is  the  gift 
of  God." 

The  unbelief  of  the  Israelites  was  their  sin,  for  which 
they  suffered,  not  being  permitted  to  enter  into  the  pro- 
mised land. 

The  faith  of  Caleb  was  the  gift  of  God  ;  and  his  priv- 
ilege of  being  favored  with  a  fruitful  possession  in  the 
land  of  Canaan,  in  consequence  of  it,  was  of  grace  and 
not  of  debt. 

This  strictly  applies  to  me  in  a  spiritual  sense. 

Oh  !  for  more  self-condemnation  and  self-abasement, 
when  I  see  and  feel  the  awful  unbelief  which  dwells  in 
my  evil  heart.  And  yet,  if  I  have  any  reason  to  hope 
that  the  Lord  has  given  me  another  spirit  from  the  car- 
nal world  around  me,  or  from  what  /  once  had,  and  if 
this  new  spirit  evidences  itself  by  an  obedience  to  his 
holy  command,  and  a  delight  in  his  will,  to  him  be  all 
the  undivided  praise  ! 

To  follow  the  Lord  fully,  I  must  have  a  lively  faith 
in  the  promises  of  God  made  to  me  in  Jesus  Chnst ;  I 
must  experience  the  love  of  God  shed  abroad  in  my 
heart  through  the  Holy  Ghost  given  unto  me  ;  I  must 
have  a  good  hope  through  grace,  a  hope  full  of  immor- 
tality :  I  must  feel  the  sweet  drawings  of  the  Spirit, 
uniting  me  closer  to  Jesus  in  heart  and  affection  :  I  must 

13* 


150  FOLLOWING  THE  LORD  FULLY. 

renounce  all  self-dependance  and  all  creature  depend- 
ance  :  I  must  renounce  both  my  sins  and  my  own  sup- 
posed righteousness  :  I  must  quit  the  flattering  vanities 
of  the  world,  and  labor  to  subdue  the  lusts  of  the  flesh  : 
I  must  be  willing  to  bear  the  cross,  to  deny  myself,  and 
to  do  any  thing  for  Christ :  I  must  submit  to  the  right- 
eousness of  God  ;  yea,  esteem  it  so  inestimably  precious, 
as  to  count  all  things  else  in  comparison  of  it  but  dung 
and  dross  :  I  must  have  my  will  swallowed  up  in  the 
holy,  sovereign  will  of  God :  I  must  lie  passive  in  his 
hand,  whilst  actively  engaged  in  his  service,  being  ever 
desirous,  with  childlike  simplicity,  to  do  and  suffer,  at 
all  times  and  in  all  places,  the  will  of  my  heavenly  Fa- 
ther. If  this  be  to  follow  the  Lord  fully,  then,  Oh  my 
soul,  lie  prostrate  at  his  feet  in  shame  and  confusion  of 
face. 

God  will  not  accept  of  a  divided  heart.  To  follow 
him  fully,  I  must  follow  him  only.  The  language  of 
the  church  is  :  "  Other  lords  besides  thee  have  had  do- 
minion over  me ;  but  by  thee  only,  will  I  make  mention 
of  thy  name."  "Whom  have  I  in  heaven  but  thee,  and 
there  is  none  upon  earth  I  desire  besides  thee."  "  The 
Lord  is  my  portion,  saith  my  soul."  Oh  that  this  may 
be  the  language  of  my  heart !  I  can  never  know  true 
peace,  till  Jesus  reign  the  unrivalled  Sovereign  of  my 
affections.  Blessed  Saviour  !  be  thou  my  only  Saviour. 
Let  me  not  trust  in  any  thing  but  thee.  Let  me  love 
nothing  but  thee,  or  for  thy  sake.  May  I  love  thee  su- 
premely, and  love  all  thy  people,  because  they  belong 
to  thee. 

To  follow  the  Lord  fully,  I  must  follow  him  at  all 
times  ;  not  only  when  the  sun  shines,  but  when  the  tem- 
pest lowers.  This  often  puts  faith  and  love  to  the  severest 
trial,  when  the  line  of  duty  runs  through  rugged  paths 
and  hostile  foes.     Yet,  if  I  draw  back  in  the  day  of  trou~ 


\ 


FOLLOWING  THE  LORD  FULLY.         151 

ble,  I  cannot  follow  the  Lord  fully.  I  must  not  choose 
my  path,  but  "  run  with  patience  the  race  which  is  set 
before  me."  I  must  still  keep  in  the  narrow  way,  how- 
ever few  there  be  who  walk  in  it,  or  however  unfashion- 
*able  this  path  may  be,  amongst  the  rich  and  learned  of 
the  earth  ;  ever  remembering  that  the  promise  of  eternal 
life  is  made  to  those  only  who  are  found  in  the  King's 
highway  of  holiness.  If,  through  fear  of  man,  or  love  of 
ease,  I  deviate  into  bye-paths  and  crooked  ways,  to  avoid 
the  difficulties  of  the  road,  I  shall  assuredly  find  them 
multiply  upon  me,  without  one  sustaining  promise  ;  for, 
thus  saith  the  Lord,  "if  any  man  draw  back,  my  soul 
shall  have  no  pleasure  in  him." 

To  follow  the  Lord  fully,  I  must  confess  him  with 
courage  and  constancy  before  an  unbelieving  world.  A 
cowardly  believer  dishonors  his  heavenly  King,  and  be- 
trays the  cause  of  truth.  I  say  a  cowardly  believer  ;  for 
8uch  was  Peter  when  left  to  himself.  Caleb  was  "  val- 
iant for  the  truth."  He  believed  in  God,  and  dared  to 
confess  his  faith  and  allegiance  in  the  face  of  the  whole 
congregation,  when  "  they  bade  stone  him  with  stones," 
like  another  Stephen.  Thus  he  experienced  the  bless- 
edness of  this  divine  declaration  :  "  Them  that  honor 
me,  I  will  honor." 

But,  through  the  deceitfulness  of  sin,  I  am  in  danger 
of  falling  into  two  extremes — vain-glory,  and  the  fear 
of  man.  Our  beloved  Redeemer,  however,  has  given 
me  an  exact  direction  how  to  avoid  both  these  evils. 
"  Take  heed  that  ye  do  not  your  alms  before  men,  to  be 
seen  of  them  :  otherwise  ye  have  no  reward  of  your  Fa- 
ther which  is  in  heaven."  "  Let  your  light  so  shine 
before  men,  that  they,  seeing  your  good  works,  may  glo- 
rify your  Father  which  is  in  heaven."  By  observing 
the  first  precept,  I  shall  avoid  vain-glory,  which  is  the 
evil  forbidden  ;  by  observing  the  second,  I  shall  main- 


152  FOLLOWING  THE  LORD  FULLY. 

tain  a  holy  courage  in  exhibiting  the  power  of  godliness 
to  the  glory  of  God,  which  is  the  duty  enjoined 

To  follow  the  Lord  fully,  I  must  cleave  to  him  in  sea- 
sons of  general  defection.  Here  Caleb  proved  that  he 
was  a  man  of  another  spirit  from  those  around  him,  by 
cleaving  steadfastly  to  God.  Thus  did  the  apostles, 
when,  on  many  forsaking  Jesus,  he  said  to  them,  "  And 
will  ye  also  go  away  ?"  Peter  replied,  "  Lord,  to  whom 
shall  we  go'?  thou  hast  the  words  of  eternal  life." 

This  entire  surrender  of  the  heart  to  God,  is  the  work 
of  the  Spirit ;  for  "  a  man  can  receive  nothing,  except 
it  be  given  him  from  heaven."  Nothing  short  of  this 
will  bring  us  to  glory.  Nothing  short  of  this  can  give 
true  assurance,  peace,  and  joy.  I  can  never  taste  the 
real  comforts  of  religion,  till  I  follow  the  Lord  fully. 
It  is  the  want  of  this  undivided  state  of  heart,  which 
causes  so  much  unsteadiness  in  the  walk,  and  so  much 
uncomfortableness  in  the  experience  of  many  professors  ; 
who,  separating  what  God  hath  joined  together,  main- 
tain with  warmth  the  high  doctrines  of  grace,  wThilst 
they  esteem  of  small  importance  the  social  and  relative 
duties  of  the  Gospel.  Such  persons  seem  to  forget,  that 
"  to  be  really  holy,  is  to  be  relatively  holy ;"  and  that 
no  truth  can  do  us  any  personal  good,  but  as  it  influences 
and  purines  our  heart  and  life.  What  can  we  think  of 
those  professors,  who,  whilst  they  appear  saints  abroad, 
are  fiends  at  home  ?  Can  it  be  a  matter  of  surprise,  that 
they  should  feel  no  real  satisfaction  either  in  religion  or 
in  the  world  ]  They  profess  so  much  religion,  as  to  ren- 
der them  the  objects  of  the  world's  derision  ;  and  yet, 
they  possess  too  little  of  its  power  to  enable  them  to 
taste  the  swreets  of  genuine  piety.  Hence,  they  grow 
morose  in  their  temper,  and  uncharitable  in  their  spirit. 
They  are  quick-sighted  in  discovering  the  mote  in  a 
brother's  eye,  whilst  utter  strangers  to  the  beam  in  their 


FOLLOWING  THE  LORD  FULLY.  153 

own.  They  are  spots  and  blemishes  in  the  visible  church, 
and  verify  the  declaration  of  the  prophet :  "  there  is  no 
peace,  saith  my  God,  to  the  wicked." 

But  how  great  is  the  happiness  of  the  true  follower 
of  Jesus  !  His  sins  are  blotted  out.  His  soul  is  beauti- 
fied with  salvation.  He  has  no  double  aims.  All  his 
intentions  are  simple  and  single  ;  his  one  desire  is  to 
promote  the  glory  of  his  God  and  Saviour.  His  heart 
is  the  abode  of  peace.  His  house  the  dwelling-place 
of  joy  and  gladness.  He  has  his  conflicts,  and  he  has 
his  comforts.  He  has  his  sorrow,  and  he  has  his  sup- 
port. God  is  his  Father.  Angels  minister  to  him,  and 
all  things  work  together  for  his  good.  He  may  be  hated 
of  men,  but  he  is  beloved  of  God.  He  may  have  to  pass 
through  deep  waters,  but  underneath  are  the  everlasting 
arms.  He  may  often  groan,  being  burdened;  but  in 
heaven  all  his  tears  shall  be  wiped  away.  He  shall 
there  follow  the  Lamb  whithersoever  he  goeth.  He 
shall  there  experience  the  eternal  blessedness  of  that 
glorious  promise :  "  He  that  overcometh,  shall  inherit 
all  things :   I  will  be  his  God,  and  he  shall  be  my  son." 

Oh  bless'd  Redeemer,  fill  my  soul 

With  love  and  grace  divine ; 
Subdue  the  pow'r  of  ev'ry  sin, 

And  make  me  wholly  thine. 

In  thee,  oh  Christ,  may  I  be  found 

From  ev'ry  blemish  free ; 
Though  vile  and  worthless  in  myself, 

Yet  all  complete  in  thee. 

Oh,  send  thy  Holy  Spirit,  Lord, 

In  larger  portions  down, 
To  witness  with  my  waiting  heart, 

And  seal  me  for  thine  own. 

May  holiness  my  life  adorn ; 

May  all  my  soul  be  love  ; 
May  ev'ry  wish  be  form'd  by  thee, 

And  placed  on  tilings  above. 


154  TWO    INSTRUMENTS    IN    CONVERSION. 

Thus  will  a  holy  evidence 

Confirm  that  I  am  thine ; 
And  faith,  by  works  made  manifest, 

Shall  prove  the  work  divine. 


XXVII. ON     THE     TWO    GREAT    INSTRUMENTS    IN    THE 

CONVERSION    OF    SINNERS. 

The  written  word  of  God  is  one  of  the  sacred  instru- 
ments in  the  hands  of  the  eternal  Spirit  for  the  regene- 
ration of  sinners.  "The  law  of  the  Lord  is  perfect, 
converting  the  soul." 

The  preaching  of  the  Gospel  is  another  instituted 
mean  for  awakening  dead  souls,  and  leading  them  to 
Jesus  Christ,  through  the  accompanying  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost ;  for  "  faith  cometh  by  hearing,  and  hearing 
by  the  word  of  God." 

All  men,  without  exception,  are  by  nature  dead  in 
trespasses  and  sins.  Multitudes,  however,  are  quickened 
to  a  life  of  faith  and  holiness. 

But,  how  are  they  quickened?  how  are  they  born 
again  1  As  God  is  pleased  to  work  by  means,  what 
instruments  does  he  employ  in  this  great  work  of  bring- 
ing dead  souls  to  spiritual  life  and  vigor  ]  Our  blessed 
Lord  himself  hath  told  us,  when  he  said,  "  The  hour  is 
coming,  and  now  is,  when  the  dead  shall  hear  the  voice 
of  the  Son  of  God,  and  they  that  hear  shall  live."  This 
voice  is  heard,  when  the  Gospel  is  preached ;  and  won- 
derful is  the  effect  produced  by  it.  That  our  Lord  meant 
dead  souls,  is  evident  from  his  mentioning  another  hour, 
when  all  that  are  in  the  graves  shall  hear  his  voice,  and 
come  forth  to  judgment.  Those  preachers  of  the  Gos- 
pel must  therefore  be  very  defective  in  their  views,  who 


TWO    INSTRUMENTS    IN    CONVERSION.  155 

will  not  exhort  sinners,  under  the  idea  of  its  being  use- 
less to  speak  to  the  dead;  making  no  difference  between 
those  who  are  naturally  and  those  who  are  spiritually 
dead.  The  hour  is  indeed  coming,  when  the  former 
shall  be  aroused  from  their  slumber  by  the  voice  of 
the  archangel  and  the  trump  of  God  :  but  the  hour 
now  is}  when  the  latter  are  awakened,  through  grace, 
by  the  sweet  sound  of  the  trumpet  of  the  Gospel  of 
peace. 

When  Ezekiel  was  commanded  to  prophesy  in  the 
valley  of  dry  bones,  and  was  asked,  "  Son  of  man,  can 
these  bones  live?"  he  modestly  replied,  "  Oh  Lord  God, 
thou  knowest."  Without  reasoning  upon  the  subject, 
or  objecting  to  the  work  of  prophesying  to  dry  bones,  he 
implicitly  obeyed  the  divine  command  ;  and  immediately 
there  was  a  shaking,  and  the  bones  came  together,  and 
the  sinews  and  flesh  came  upon  them.  Then  he  was 
again  commanded  to  prophesy  unto  the  wind,  and  the 
breath  came  into  them,  and  they  lived. 

So  when  the  apostles  went  forth  at  the  command  of 
Jesus,  to  preach  the  Word  of  life  to  thousands  "  dead  in 
trespasses  and  sins,"  an  agitation  was  felt  wherever  they 
came ;  and  multitudes  were  turned  unto  the  Lord, 
through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

St.  Paul  writes  thus  to  the  Ephesian  church :  "  In 
whom  ye  also  trusted,  after  that  ye  heard  the  word  of 
truth,  the  Gospel  of  your  salvation  ;"  also  to  the  Thes- 
salonians,  "  Our  Gospel  came  not  unto  you  in  word 
only"  (like  Ezekiel's  first  prophesying,)  "  but  also  in 
power,  and  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  in  much  assurance." 
A  quickening  influence  accompanied  the  word ;  and 
souls,  before  dead  in  sins,  were  quickened  and  saved  by 
almighty  grace.  u  For  this  cause,"  saith  the  apostle, 
"  thank  we  God  without  ceasing,  because  when  ye  re- 
ceived the  word  of  God,  which  ye  heard  of  us,  ye  received 


156  TWO    INSTRUMENTS    IN    CONVERSION. 

it  not  as  the  word  of  man,  but  as  it  is  in  truth,  the  word 
of  God,  which  effectually  worketh  also  in  you  that  be- 
lieve." St.  James,  in  like  manner,  plainly  declares, 
"  of  his  own  will  he  begat  us,  with  the  word  of  truth." 
St.  Peter,  again,  fully  confirms  this  doctrine:  "Being 
born  not  of  corruptible  seed,  but  of  incorruptible,  by  the 
word  of  God,  which  liveth  and  abideth  for  ever."  "The 
word  of  the  Lord  endureth  for  ever ;  and  this  is  the 
word,  which  by  the  Gospel  is  preached  unto  you." 
Surely,  then,  may  the  Messenger  of  peace  say  to  a  ruined 
world,  "Awake,  thou  that  sleepest,  and  arise  from  the 
dead,  and  Christ  shall  give  thee  light."  His  duty  is  to 
preach  the  word.  The  promise  of  God  is,  "  it  shall  not 
return  unto  me  void." 

Our  blessed  Lord,  in  his  beautiful  parable  of  the 
sower,  compares  the  word  of  God  to  seed  sown  on  vari- 
ous grounds. 

There  is  the  hard-beaten  pathway,  which  cannot  receive 
the  seed:  it  lies  on  the  surface,  and  is  devoured  by  the 
fowls  of  the  air.  There  is  the  rocky  ground,  lightly  cov- 
ered with  earth,  which  admits  indeed  the  seed ;  but, 
affording  from  its  shallowness  no  moisture,  in  seasons  of 
heat  and  drought  the  plant  withers  away.  There  is  the 
thorny  ground,  so  covered  with  weeds  and  brambles,  that 
the  seed,  if  it  spring  up  at  all,  can  bring  no  fruit  to 
perfection.  There  is  the  good  ground,  which  being 
ploughed  and  broken  up,  is  brought  into  a  proper  state 
to  admit  the  scattered  grain  from  the  sower's  hand,  and 
plentifully  rewards  his  toil. 

Wherever  the  Gospel  is  faithfully  preached,  there  the 
good  seed  of  the  word  is  sewn.  The  soil  is  the  human 
heart. 

Careless  hearers  receive  no  good  whatever  from  the 
most  faithful  preaching  of  the  Gospel.  Mere  animal 
excitements  are  of  short  duration,  whilst  the  stony  heart 


TWO    INSTRUMENTS    IN    CONVERSION.  157 

remains  unchanged.  Worldly  riches,  cares,  and  plea- 
sures check  the  growth  of  the  Gospel  in  the  soul. 

One  soil,  and  only  one,  is  good  ;  that  is,  a  heart  pre- 
pared by  divine  grace  ;  a  heart  deeply  impressed  with 
the  command  of  God ;  "  break  up  your  fallow  ground, 
and  sow  not  among  thorns,  lest  my  fury  come  forth  like 
fire,  and  burn  that  none  can  quench  it ;"  a  heart  groan- 
ing under  the  burden  of  conscious  guilt,  and  crying  out, 
"what  must  I  do  to  be  saved?" 

Such  a  heart,  like  soil  that  has  been  ploughed  and 
broken  up,  is  prepared  to  receive  the  precious  seed  of 
Gospel  grace;  those  glad  tidings  of  great  joy  which  pro- 
claim pardon  and  peace  through  a  crucified  Redeemer. 

According  to  the  strength  of  faith,  is  the  produce 
which  this  blessed  soul  yieldeth,  in  some  thirty,  in  some 
sixty,  in  some  a  hundred  fold. 

Fruit  is  invariably  produced  by  such  a  soil  in  a  greater 
or  less  degree  ;  it  is  "  the  ground  which  the  Lord  hath 
blessed."  Happy  is  he  who  aboundeth  in  the  fruits  of 
righteousness,  for  Jesus  hath  declared,  "  herein  is  my 
father  glorified,  that  ye  bear  much  fruit ;  so  shall  ye  be 
my  disciples." 

Now,  if  the  word  of  God,  or  the  great  truths  drawn 
from  that  word,  be  the  instrument  of  our  regeneration  ; 
if  a  moral  change  be  thus  effected  by  moral  means  ;  how 
invaluable  are  the  two  great  blessings  which  a  God  of 
mercy  has  bestowed  upon  mankind,  viz.  "the  Scriptures 
of  the  prophets,"  and  "  the  preaching  of  Jesus  Christ." 
St.  Paul  knew  their  value  when  he  wrote,  "  Now  to  him 
that  is  of  power  to  stablish  you  according  to  my  Gospel 
and  the  pr fetching  of  Jesus  Christ,  according  to  the  reve- 
lation of  the  mystery,  which  was  kept  secret  since  the 
wctld  began,  but  now  is  made  manifest,  and  by  the  Scrip- 
tures of  the  prophets,  according  to  the  commandment  of 
he  everlasting  God,  made  known  to  all  nations  for  the 

14 


158  TWO    INSTRUMENTS    IN    CONVERSION. 

obedience  of  faith :  to  God  the  only  wise,  be  glory 
through  Jesus  Christ  for  ever.  Amen."  Romans  xvi, 
25-27. 

Thus  the  wisdom,  as  well  as  the  grace  of  God,  is 
manifested  in  appointing  the  Holy  Scriptures  and  a 
preached  Gospel,  as  the  two  grand  instruments  in  the 
hands  of  the  eternal  Spirit,  for  the  bringing  of  all  nations 
to  the  obedience  of  faith. 

If  such  be  the  great  authority,  and  such  the  sure  foun- 
dation, on  which  Bible  and  Missionary  societies  are 
established,  what  must  we  think  of  those  who,  profess- 
ing to  be  guardians  of  the  truth,  labor  to  paralyze  the 
exertions,  or  suppress  the  endeavors,  of  the  zealous 
servants  of  Christ,  whose  only  aim  is  to  extend  the 
knowledge  of  salvation  among  the  perishing  millions 
of  mankind,  by  those  very  means  which  infinite  love 
has  ordained  for  our  present  and  future  happiness  ] 

From  want  of  due  consideration,  some  persons  confound 
the  regeneration  of  the  soul  with  the  rite  of  baptism,  and 
suppose  that  every  person  baptized  is  invariably  born 
again,  during  the  celebration  of  that  sacred  ordinance. 

A  man  cannot  be  born  twice  in  a  spiritual,  any  more 
than  in  a  natural  sense.  If  an  infant  be  truly  regene- 
rated in  baptism,  (and  who  dare  limit  the  Holy  One  of 
Israel  1)  he  will,  no  doubt,  manifest  the  change  by  cor 
responding  fruits,  at  least  in  childhood,  before  the  influ- 
ence of  bad  example  has  unhappily  corrupted  his  re- 
newed nature.  But  does  not  the  painful  experience  of 
almost  every  family  testify,  that  infants  in  general  un- 
fold the  powers  of  their  souls,  without  manifesting  one 
genuine  fruit  of  the  Holy  Spirit  1  Lies,  dissimulation, 
and  perverseness  in  childhood — frivolity  and  licentious 
ness  in  youth — ambition  and  love  of  the  world,  in  man- 
hood— covetousness  and  peevishness,  in  old  age  :  awfully 
prove  the  soul  to  be  dead  in  sin,  and  an  heir  of  hell. 


TWO    INSTRUMENTS    IN    CONVERSION.  159 

Should  the  Almighty  transform  a  child  after  the  holy- 
image  of  its  Saviour,  ichen  presented  to  him  in  baptism, 
this  would  only  evidence  the  sovereign  mercy  and  grace 
of  a  compassionate  God,  but  does  not  disprove  the  for- 
mer statement  of  facts.  Man,  under  the  Christian,  as 
under  the  Jewish  economy,  is  not  necessarily  and  inva- 
riably changed  by  the  outward  rite  either  of  baptism  or 
circumcision  :  for  St.  Paul  expressly  declares,  "  He  is 
not  a  Jew  who  is  one  outwardly,  neither  is  that  circum- 
cision which  is  outward  in  the  flesh  :  but  he  is  a  Jew 
who  is  one  inwardly;  and  circumcision  is  that  of  the 
heart,  in  the  spirit,  and  not  in  the  letter,  whose  praise 
is  not  of  men,  but  of  God." 

Thousands,  however,  are  turned  from  darkness  unto 
light,  through  the  grace  of  God,  accompanying  the 
faithful  preaching  of  the  Gospel.  Those  who  have  been 
baptized,  and  have  grown  up  in  the  visible  Church  in 
the  commission  of  every  crime,  have  been  converted 
from  the  error  of  their  way,  and  made  the  humble,  holy 
followers  of  Jesus,  through  the  word  of  his  grace. 

The  change  produced  by  the  Spirit,  when  thus  bring- 
ing the  truth  to  the  heart,  is  radical  and  universal. 
They  become,  in  every  sense,  new  creatures.  They  are 
quite  different  from  what  they  were  before.  Surely, 
then,  all  must  confess,  that  the  Word  of  God  is  quick 
and  powerful,  sharper  than  any  two-edged  sword,  when 
wielded  by  the  Almighty  Spirit,  through  the  instrumen- 
tality of  men  appointed  to  preach  to  a  world  of  sinners 
the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ. 

So  invaluable  to  fallen  man  is  the  Gospel  of  salvation, 
that  the  apostle  exhorted  the  Thessalonians  to  pray  for 
himself  and  his  fellow-laborers,  "  that  the  word  of  the 
Lord  might  have  free  course,  and  be  glorified."  There 
is  something  peculiarly  impressive  in  the  object  of  the 
petition— <-"  have  free  course."     When  the  Gospel  was 


160  TWO    INSTRUMENTS    IN    CONVERSION. 

first  preached,  it  met  with  continual  opposition.  Yet, 
like  some  mighty  river,  checked  in  its  progress  by  op- 
posing rocks,  it  forced  its  way,  and  fertilized  all  the 
regions  through  which  it  bent  its  course.  The  Gospel 
still  flows  onwards,  and  shall  continue  to  flow,  till  the 
earth  be  filled  with  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  the 
Lord,  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea. 

This  prayer  is  always  needful,  because  the  enmity  of 
the  human  heart  is  in  every  age  the  same. 

In  the  first  family,  we  find  a  Cain  opposing  the  work 
of  faith  and  love.  The  same  spirit  continues  to  mani- 
fest itself,  wherever  the  worship  of  the  true  God  is  es- 
tablished. The  Israelites  misused  their  prophets  who 
spoke  to  them  the  word  of  the  Lord,  "  stoning  some  and 
killing  some." 

The  pagan  powers,  as  well  as  the  Jewish  rulers,  set 
themselves  against  the  Lord  and  against  his  anointed. 
The  holy  apostles  of  our  Lord  were  called  to  perpetual 
sufferings,  whilst  they  spread  abroad,  through  a  preached 
Gospel,  a  Saviour's  dying  love. 

Papal  Rome  has  long  carried  on  the  work  of  slaugh- 
ter amongst  the  sheep  of  Christ,  checking,  by  fire,  tor- 
tures, and  anathemas,  the  progress  of  genuine  Chris- 
tianity, lest  the  pure,  unadulterated  word  of  God  should 
have  free  course  and  be  glorified. 

No  wonder,  then,  that  the  thunders  of  the  Vatican  are 
heard  to  roar  against  the  most  blessed  cf  all  human 
institutions,  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society. 

But  the  Gospel  has  other  enemies,  who  labor  to  check 
its  progress. 

Infidelity  directs  the  shafts  of  ridicule  against  its  holy 
mysteries.  Socinianism,  under  the  specious  name  of 
rational  Christianity,  seeks  to  rob  the  Gospel  of  its 
brightest  jewel,  "  God  manifest  in  the  flesh."  Indif 
ference,  worldly-mindedness,  formality,  and  hypocrisy, 


TWO    INSTRUMENTS    IN    CONVERSION.  161 

whilst  they  render  the  mere  nominal  professors  of  Chris- 
tianity barren  as  the  sand,  tend  more  to  check  the  spread 
of  the  truth,  than  all  the  united  attacks  of  its  most 
hostile  foes. 

There  is,  however,  a  goodly  company  of  faithful 
Christians  who  delight  in  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  and 
whose  lives  are  devoted  to  advance  its  progress  through- 
out the  earth.  These  are  the  happy  servants  of  the 
Lord,  who  pray  in  secret,  and  are  willing  to  spend  and 
be  spent,  that  in  all  things  God  may  be  glorified  through 
Jesus  Christ.  They  meet  with  a  double  hindrance  ;  the 
one  outward,  from  the  enmity  of  the  world  ;  the  other 
inward,  from  the  sin  which  dwelleth  in  them.  Yet  they 
are  enabled,  through  grace,  to  press  forward,  and  to  help 
forward  the  work  of  the  Lord.  Oh  that  my  station  may 
ever  be  amongst  this  blessed  flock  !  Lord,  make  me 
one  of  the  humble  laborers  in  thy  vineyard.  Give  me 
a  heart  to  receive  the  truth  in  the  love  of  it,  and  to 
feel  its  power.  Teach  me  to  pray  with  holy  fervor, 
"  Thy  kingdom  come ;"  and  to  rejoice  in  every  open- 
ing prospect  of  that  blessed  period,  when  the  earth  shall 
be  filled  with  thy  glory.  Even  now,  the  morning  streaks 
begin  to  appear  on  the  distant  mountains :  even  now, 
the  Sun  of  righteousness  is  arising  with  healing  in  his 
beams. 

Oh  what  glorious  times  are  dawning 

On  a  dark  and  ruin'd  world  ! 
'Tis  the  long-expected  morning  j 

Satan  from  his  seat  is  hurl'd. 

Hallelujah — Amen. 

Hark !  the  jubilee  horn  is  sounding, 

Gladsome  notes  are  echo'd  round ; 
Ev'ry  heart,  with  joy  rebounding, 

Hails  the  Gospel's  welcome  sound. 
Hallelujah — Amen* 

H* 


162  TWO    SOURCES. 

As  the  light  i3  still  advancing, 
Backward  shrinks  the  hellish  foe  ; 

Faith,  through  future  ages  glancing, 
Views  another  Eden  glowr. 

Halleluj  ah — Amen. 

Idols  now — the  spell  discover' d — 
Dash'd  as  potters'  vessels,  fall ; 

Slaves,  from  Pagan  chains  recover'd, 
Own  Messiah  Lord  of  all. 

Hallelujah — Amen. 

Hasten,  Lord,  the  joyful  season ; 

Claim  the  heathen  as  thy  own ; 
Break  the  pride  of  human  reason ; 

Reign  as  Sovereign  LohD  alone. 
Hallelujah — Amen. 


XXVIII. — THE    TWO    SOURCES. 

Whilst  men  of  philosophic  minds  are  busily  employed 
in  tracing"  effects  to  their  causes,  and  others,  of  a  more 
adventurous  spirit,  in  traversing  unknown  regions,  to 
trace  some  mighty  river  to  its  source ;  how  few,  consid- 
ering the  magnitude  of  the  object,  are  employed  in  dis- 
covering the  two  most  important  of  all  sources : — the 
source  of  misery,  and  the  source  of  mercy. 

This  discovery,  so  essential  to  our  happiness,  and, 
without  an  experimental  knowledge  of  which,  we  must 
for  ever  remain  in  a  state  of  spiritual  death,  is  but  little 
regarded  by  the  great  bulk  of  mankind. 

Human  wisdom  and  philosophy  have  been  laboring- 
for  ages  to  find  out  the  origin  of  moral  evil,  and  a  reme- 
dy against  it ;  but  they  have  failed  in  the  attempt.  The 
world,  by  wisdom,  knows  not  God,  for  darkness  hath 
covered  the  earth,  and  gross  darkness  the  people. 

We  need  only  to  pursue  the  fabled  absurdities  of  hea- 
then mythology  ;  to  witness  the  self-inflicted  tortures  of 


TWO    SOURCES.  163 

the  Hindoo  devotee  ;  to  behold  the  superstitious  penances 
imposed  by  the  Church  of  Rome;  yea,  all  the  errors  and 
evils  which  have  abounded  among  Christians,  Jews, 
Mahomedans,  and  Pagans,  in  every  age  ;  to  be  con- 
vinced that  man  can  never,  by  any  effort  of  his  unas- 
sisted reason,  discover  the  true  source  either  of  misery 
or  of  mercy.     The  Bible  alone  reveals  them  both. 

There  I  learn  that  the  sin  of  Adam  is  the  source  of 
human  misery.  "  By  one  man  sin  entered  into  the 
world,  and  death  by  sin."  "  In  Adam  all  die."  From 
this  fountain  issue  ten  thousand  poisonous  streams, 
which  embitter  life,  fill  the  world  with  wretchedness, 
and  carry  unnumbered  millions  on  their  boisterous  waves, 
till  they  are  plunged  into  endless  perdition. 

There  I  learn,  that  God  in  Christ  is  the  only  source 
of  mercy.  "God,  in  Christ,  reconciling  the  world  unto 
himself."  "  Beside  me,"  saith  Jehovah,  "  there  is  no 
Saviour."  "  There  is  none  other  name  under  heaven 
given  among  men  whereby  we  must  be  saved."  "  Other 
foundation  can  no  man  lay  than  that  is  laid,  which  is 
Jesus  Christ." 

All  good,  in  time  and  in  eternity,  flows  from  him  who 
is  goodness  itself.  When  man  had  destroyed  himself, 
and  was  justly  reaping  the  fruit  of  his  doings,  it  pleased 
Almighty  God,  of  his  own  free  mercy  and  grace,  to  re- 
veal the  wondrous  plan  of  salvation,  by  declaring,  "  that 
the  seed  of  the  woman  should  bruise  the  serpent's  head." 

This  declaration  of  grace  was  unasked  for  and  unex- 
pected ;  and  therefore  proves  to  us  fallen  creatures,  that 
God  is  the  only  source  of  mercy  ;  that  God  is  love  ;  for 
he  so  loved  the  world,  as  to  give  his  only  begotten  Son, 
that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  should  not  perish,  but 
have  everlasting  life. 

As  God  is  the  source  of  mercy,  so  the  channel  through 
which  this  grace  descends,  is  all  of  mercy.    Jesus  Christ, 


164  TWO    SOURCES. 

the  eternal  Son  of  God,  gave  himself  for  us,  an  offering 
and  a  sacrifice  to  God  for  a  sweet  smelling  savor. 

By  this  stupendous  sacrifice,  divine  Justice  is  satisfied, 
the  holy  law  is  magnified,  the  holiness  of  Jehovah  is 
unsullied,  and  eternal  truth  remains  inviolate ;  yea,  by 
this  amazing  sacrifice  all  the  divine  perfections  receive 
additional  lustre  in  the  eyes  of  saints  and  angels. 

The  whole  volume  of  inspiration  is  occupied  with 
tracing  the  various  streams  which  flow  from  these  sources 
of  misery  and  of  mercy,  in  opening  the  nature  and  ef- 
fects of  sin,  and  in  revealing  the  nature  and  operations 
of  infinite  love. 

To  understand  these  aright,  through  the  teaching  of 
the  Spirit,  is  to  understand  the  Scriptures.  To  have  an 
inward  practical  knowledge  of  them  in  the  heart,  is  to 
be  made  wise  unto  salvation. 

The  excellent  Archbishop  Leighton  thus  beautifully 
describes  this  stream  of  mercy,  flowing  from  the  Foun- 
tain of  eternal  love  :  "  The  spring  of  these  waters  of 
salvation,  hid  in  the  councils  of  God  before  time  began, 
was  opened  immediately  after  the  fall,  and  began  to  flow 
in  a  small  but  reviving  brook.  Increasing  by  degrees, 
and,  from  the  very  beginning,  making  every  place  it 
passed  through  fertile  and  pleasant,  it  soon  became  a 
large  stream.  At  length  the  main  current  of  the  Gos- 
pel flowed  in,  and  now  it  rolls  on  full  of  water,  greatly 
enriching  the  earth,  a  pure  river  of  water  of  life,  clear 
as  crystal ;  the  streams  whereof  make  glad  the  city  of 
God,  and  shall  do  so,  till  this  river  empties  itself  into  the 
ocean  of  eternity." 

It  is  truly  interesting  to  trace  the  windings  of  this 
sacred  stream,  sometimes  blessing  one  country  and  some- 
times another,  according  to  the  purpose  and  grace  of 
Him  who  directs  its  course  with  wise  and  unerring  skill. 

What  cause  for  gratitude,  that  this  river  of  the  water 


TWO    SOURCES.  165 

of  life  flows  in  every  direction  through  this  highly  fa- 
vored island.  But  oh  !  how  delightful  to  taste  its  sweet- 
ness, and  to  feel,  through  faith,  its  purifying  and  refresh- 
ing virtues. 

Blessed  Lord  !  be  pleased  to  open  my  understanding, 
that  I  may  understand  the  Scriptures.  Give  me  the 
Spirit  of  wisdom  and  revelation,  that  I  may  know  my- 
self as  a  helpless  sinner,  and  thee  as  my  only  Saviour. 
Let  me  never  cavil  at  the  deep  mysteries  of  thy  holy 
wrord  ;  but  make  me  as  a  little  child,  humble,  teacha- 
ble, and  submissive  to  thy  righteous  will.  May  the 
knowledge  of  my  ruined  state,  through  original  and 
actual  transgression,  fill  me  with  shame  and  self-abhor- 
rence. May  the  knowledge  of  thy  sovereign  grace  and 
purposes  of  mercy,  through  a  crucified  Redeemer,  fill 
me  with  gratitude  and  adoring  praise.  Make  me  more 
and  more  acquainted  with  the  deceitfulness  of  sin,  that 
I  may  watch  against  its  subtle  workings ;  and  make  me 
more  and  more  acquainted  with  thee,  my  Almighty 
Saviour,  that  I  may  daily  rejoice  in  thy  salvation,  be 
exalted  in  thy  righteousness,  and  live  to  thy  glory. 

Oh  that  I  felt  my  soul  upborne 

On  pure  devotion's  wings  ; 
Far  above  earth's  deceitful  joys 

And  sublunary  things ! 

Where  thou,  bless'd  Saviour,  sit'st  enthroned 

In  everlasting  light ; 
The  glory  of  th'  angelic  host, 

The  source  of  their  delight. 

There,  in  thy  blissful  presence,  reigns 

Immortal  joy  serene ; 
No  wintry  storms  are  heard  to  roar, 

Nor  desolation  seen. 

Around  thee  flow  unmix'd  delights, 

Like  rivers  deep  and  wide ; 
While,  from  the  ocean  of  thy  love, 

Proceeds  an  endless  tide. 


166  TWO    PILLARS. 

Can  such  a  sinful  creature,  Lord, 
Partake  this  wondrous  grace, 

To  dwell  with  thee  in  heav'nly  bliss, 
And  view  thy  glorious  face  ? 

Ah !  then,  let  sin  and  earth  usurp 
My  wayward  heart  no  more ; 

Be  thou,  through  life,  my  all  in  all, 
My  soul's  unbounded  store. 


XXIX. THE    TWO    PILLARS. 

"  The  religion  of  a  sinner,"  as  good  Mr.  Newton  used 
to  say,  "  stands  upon  two  pillars  :  what  Christ  has  done 
for  us  in  the  flesh  ;  and  what  he  does  in  us  hy  his  Spirit." 

Christ  dying  for  us,  and  Christ  living  in  us,  is  the 
very  ground  and  pillar  of  the  truth. 

Come,  Oh  my  soul !  retire  from  a  busy,  thoughtless 
world  ;  collect  thy  scattered  powers  ;  explore  the  sacred 
volume,  and  examine  with  delight  these  glorious  pillars, 
which  support  the  fabric  of  thy  hopes,  and  point  to  realms 
on  high. 

Consider  what  Jesus  Christ,  the  Lord  of  glory,  hath 
done  for  thee,  when  he  became  incarnate.  And  may  the 
review  of  this  stupendous  mercy  kindle  such  a  flame  of 
love,  as  never,  never  will  expire  ! 

The  mighty  God  graciously  made  himself  of  no  re- 
putation, but  took  upon  him  the  form  of  a  servant,  and 
was  made  in  the  likeness  of  men.  And,  being  found  in 
fashion  as  a  man,  he  humbled  himself,  and  became  obe- 
dient unto  death,  even  the  death  of  the  cross.  (Phil, 
ii,  7,  8.)  And  why  did  the  ever-blessed  Jesus  thus  hum- 
ble himself?  Oh!  mystery  of  love!  It  was  to  save 
his  people  from  their  sins.  (Matt,  i,  21.)  It  was  that 
he,  who  knew  no  sin,  might  be  made  sin  for  us,  that  we 


TWO    PILLARS.  1G7 

might  be  made  the  righteousness  of  God  in  him  ;  (2 
Cor.  v,  21.)  It  was  to  finish  the  transgression  ;  to  make 
an  end  of  sins  ;  to  make  reconciliation  for  iniquity  ;  and 
to  bring  in  everlasting  righteousness  ;   (Dan.  ix,  24.) 

Christ  died  for  our  sins,  according  to  the  Scriptures; 
(1  Cor.  xv,  3.)  He  hath  once  suffered  for  sins,  the  just 
for  the  unjust,  that  he  might  bring  us  to  God ;  (1  Peter 
iii,  18.)  He  bare  our  sins  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree, 
that  we,  being  dead  to  sins,  should  live  unto  righteous- 
ness :  by  whose  stripes  we  are  healed;  (1  Peter  ii,  24.) 
He  was  once  offered  to  bear  the  sins  of  many ;  (Heb.  ix, 
28.)  He  is  the  Lamb  of  God,  that  taketh  away  the  sin 
of  the  world;   (John  i,  29.) 

Jesus,  the  beloved  of  the  Father,  was  manifested  that 
he  might  destroy  the  works  of  the  devil ;  (1  John  iii,  8  ;) 
that  we  might  live  through  him;  (1  John  iv,  9;)  that 
he  might  be  the  propitiation  for  our  sins;  (1  John  iv, 
10  ;)  that  he  might  be  the  Saviour  of  the  world  ;  (1  John 
iv,  14.)  He  gave  himself  for  us,  that  he  might  deliver 
us  from  this  present  evil  world;  (Gal.  i,  4;)  from  the 
wrath  to  come;  (1  Thess.  i,  10;)  and  that,  through 
death,  he  might  destroy  him  that  had  the  power  of 
death,  that  is,  the  devil ;  (Heb.  ii,  14.) 

These  are  some  of  the  glorious  things  which  Jesus 
hath  done  for  us  in  the  flesh ;  and,  that  none  may  de- 
spair of  salvation  on  account  of  their  multiplied  trans- 
gressions, it  is  further  declared  in  the  everlasting  Gospel, 
that  Jesus  Christ  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners ; 
(1  Tim.  i,  15;)  that  he  came  to  seek  and  to  save  that 
which  was  lost;  (Luke  xix,  10;)  that  he  died  for  the 
ungodly  ;  (Rom.  v,  6  ;)  that  whilst  we  were  yet  sinners, 
Christ  died  for  us  ;  (Rom.  v,  8  ;)  that  the  blood  of  Jesus 
Christ  cleanseth  from  all  sin;  (1  John  i,  7;)  by  which 
precious  blood  we  are  redeemed;  (1  Peter  i,  19;)  and 
justified;   (Rom.  v,  9;)   and  by  which  we,  who  were 


168  TWO    PILLARS. 

sometimes  far  off,  are  made  nigh  ;  (Ephes.  ii,  13  ;)  and 
obtain  the  forgiveness  of  sins ;  (Ephes.  i,  7.) 

Jesus  is  further  declared  in  Scripture  to  be  our  peace, 
(Ephes.  ii,  14;)  our  wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctifica- 
t.ion,  and  redemption,  (1  Cor.  i,  30;)  the  one  Mediatoi 
between  God  and  man,  (1  Tim.  ii,  5  ;)  our  Advocate 
with  the  Father,  (1  John  ii,  1  ;)  our  compassionate  High 
priest,  (Heb.  iv,  15  ;)  our  all-prevailing  intercessor, 
(Heb.  vii,  25;)  who  gave  himself  a  ransom  for  all,  (1 
Tim.  ii,  6  ;)  and  who  tasted  death  for  every  man,  (Heb. 
ii,  9.) 

Therefore,  says  the  apostle,  Christ  our  passover  was 
sacrificed  for  us  ;  (Cor.  v,  7.)  Christ  has  redeemed  us 
from  the  curse  of  the  law,  being  made  a  curse  for  us ; 
(Gal.  iii,  13.) 

And  the  Lord  himself  declared,  that  he  came  not  to 
destroy  the  law,  but  to  fulfil ;  (Matt,  v,  17.) 

Oh  !  the  depth  of  the  riches  both  of  the  wisdom  and 
knowledge  of  God !  How  unsearchable  is  his  wisdom, 
who  can  be  just,  and  yet  the  justifier  of  him  who  be- 
lieveth  in  Jesus  ;  (Rom.  iii,  26.)  A  door  of  hope  is  now 
opened  to  perishing  sinners  ;  for,  through  Jesus,  we  have 
access  by  one  Spirit  unto  the  Father;  (Ephes.  ii,  18.) 
He  is  the  only  Saviour  ;  (Acts  iv,  12  ;)  the  only  founda- 
tion ;  (1  Cor.  iii,  11  ;)  the  only  way — for  no  man  cometh 
unto  the  Father  but  by  him  ;  (John  xiv,  6.) 

This  is  the  record,  that  God  hath  given  unto  us  eter- 
nal life,  and  this  life  is  in  his  Son  ;  (1  John  v,  11,  12.) 
To  him  give  all  the  prophets  witness,  that  through  his 
name,  wThosoever  believeth  in  him  shall  receive  remis- 
sion of  sins  ;  (Acts  x,  43.)  For  him  hath  God,  with  his 
right  hand,  exalted  to  be  a  Prince  and  a  Saviour,  for  to 
give  repentance  unto  Israel  and  forgiveness  of  sins ; 
(Acts  v,  31.)  And  through  him  is  preached  the  for- 
giveness of  sius  ;  and  by  him  all  that  believe  are  justi- 


TWO    PILLARS.  169 

fied  from  all  things,  from  which  they  could  not  be  jus- 
tified by  the  law  of  Moses ;  (Acts  xiii,  38,  39.) 

Much,  very  much  more  is  revealed  in  the  Scriptures 
of  truth,  concerning  the  freeness,  fulness,  and  all-suffi- 
ciency of  this  great  salvation  wrought  out  for  us  by  the 
blood  of  Jesus,  when  he  took  upon  him  our  nature,  and 
stood  in  the  place  of  sinners. 

But  ah  !  my  soul,  enough  is  here  written  to  raise  thy 
warmest  notes  of  grateful  adoration.  May  every  suc- 
ceeding meditation  on  the  love  of  thy  Redeemer,  drawn 
from  the  sacred  fountain  of  revealed  truth,  add  fresh 
fervor  to  thy  praise,  and  constrain  thee  to  live  more  to 
his  glory,  who  loved  thee  and  gave  himself  for  thee. 

Blessed  Saviour  !  increase  my  faith,  whilst  I  consider 
what  thou  art  now  doing  in  the  hearts  of  thy  people, 
through  the  influence  and  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

Man,  through  the  fall,  was  not  only  excluded  from 
the  kingdom  of  heaven,  but  was  very  far  gone,,  gone  as 
far  as  possible,  from  original  righteousness.  The  image 
of  God  forsook  him,  and  the  image  of  the  evil  one  was 
stamped  upon  him.  He  became  a  guilty  and  polluted 
creature,  unable  either  to  satisfy  offended  justice,  or  to 
perform  one  single  act  of  acceptable  obedience.  By  the 
fall,  he  lost  all  title  to  the  heavenly  inheritance,  and  all 
meetness  for  the  mansions  of  celestial  glory ;  and  thus 
became  an  outcast — an  heir  of  misery  and  death. 

To  deliver  fallen  man  from  this  state  of  condemnation, 
God  sent  his  only  begotten  Son  into  the  world,  made  of 
a  woman,  made  under  the  law,  to  redeem  them  that 
were  under  the  law,  that  we  might  receive  the  adoption 
of  sons.   (Gal.  iv,  6.) 

And  in  order  to  prepare  and  make  us  meet  for  the 
inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light,  God  sends  the  Spirit 
of  his  Son  into  our  hearts,  enabling  us  to  cry  Abba,  Fa- 
ther.  (Gal.  iv,  6.) 

15 


170  TWO    PILLARS. 

At  the  creation,  God  said,  "  Let  there  be  light,  and 
there  was  light."  So  in  the  new  creation,  he  shines  into 
our  hearts,  to  give  us  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  his 
glory,  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ. 

The  first  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  is  to  enlighten  the 
eyes  of  our  understauding,  (Ephes.  i,  18,)  to  convince 
us  of  sin,  (John  xvi,  8,)  to  show  us  the  spirituality  of 
the  law,  (Rom.  vii,  9,)  and  the  purity  of  the  divine 
nature,  (1  Peter  i,  16;)  to  bring  us  into  an  intimate 
acquaintance  of  our  own  hearts,  that,  by  this  knowledge 
of  our  own  corruption  (Jer.  xvii,  9)  and  helplessness, 
(2  Cor.  iii,  5,)  we  may  be  deeply  humbled,  (Job  xlii,  6,) 
and  led  to  seek  for  deliverance  from  these  evils  by  the 
aid  of  some  power  greater  than  our  own.  (Isa.  xli,  10.) 
Being  thus  emptied  of  all  self-righteous  notions  and 
proud  conceptions  of  our  own  strength,  and  groaning 
under  the  guilt  of  sin,  through  a  spiritual  application  of 
the  divine  law  to  our  consciences,  we  are  prepared  for 
the  joyful  reception  of  the  Gospel,  where  pardon  is 
freely  offered  to  every  coming  sinner,  and  grace,  mercy, 
and  peace  extended  to  the  weary  and  heavy-laden  soul. 

Thus  the  Holy  Spirit  guides  us  into  all  truth.  (John 
xvi,  13.)  He  testifies  of  Christ.  (John  xvi,  14.)  He 
gives  us  an  inward  witness  of  his  power  and  mercy,  in 
the  conversion  of  our  souls.  (Rom.  viii,  16.)  He  makes 
us  the  trophies  of  his  victory  over  sin  and  death,  and, 
finally,  the  precious  jewels  in  the  Redeemer's  crown. 

The  Spirit  carries  on  the  great  work  of  salvation, 
which  Jesus  began  in  the  days  of  his  flesh,  when  he 
gave  himself  for  us,  that  he  might  redeem  us  from  all 
iniquity,  and  purify  unto  himself  a  peculiar  people  zeal- 
ous of  good  works  ;  by  renewing  us  in  the  spirit  of  our 
mind,  (Ephes.  iv,  23  ;)  by  making  us  new  creatures, 
(2  Cor.  v,  17  ;)  by  sanctifying  us  wholly  in  body,  soul, 
and  spirit,  (1  Thess.  v,  23  ;)  by  consecrating  us  as  tern- 


TWO    PILLARS.  171 

pies  of  the  Lord  Almighty,  (2  Cor.  vi,  16,)  and  filling 
us  with  those  fruits  of  righteousness  which  are  by  Jesus 
Christ  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  God.  (Phil,  i,  11.) 

Being,  through  the  operation  of  the  Spirit,  united  by 
faith  to  Jesus  Christ,  as  branches  to  the  vine,  (John  xv, 
5,)  and  members  to  the  head,  (Eph.  iv,  16,)  we  receive 
out  of  his  fulness  grace  for  grace.  (John  i,  16.)  We  can 
do  all  things  through  Christ,  who  strengthened  us, 
(Phil,  iv,  13,)  and  are  made  more  than  conquerors, 
through  him  that  hath  loved  us,  and  given  himself  for 
us.  (Rom.  viii,  37.) 

We  are  enabled  to  crucify  the  flesh,  (Gal.  v,  34,)  to 
resist  the  devil,  (James  iv,  7,)  to  renounce  the  world, 
(Mark  x,  28,)  to  mortify  the  corrupt  affections,  (Col.  hi, 
5,)  to  walk  in  newness  of  life,  (Rom.  vi,  4,)  and  to  glo- 
rify God  with  our  bodies  and  our  spirits,  which  are  his  ; 
knowing  that  we  are  not  our  own,  being  bought  with  a 
price,  (1  Cor.  vi,  20,)  even  with  the  precious  blood  of 
Christ,  as  of  a  lamb  without  blemish  and  without  spot ; 
(1  Peter  i,  19.) 

Thus  the  love  of  Christ  constrains  us  to  obedience. 
(2  Cor.  v,  14.)  The  long-suffering  of  God  leadeth  us 
to  repentance.  (2  Peter  iii,  15.)  And  by  all  the  tender 
mercies  of  God,  we  are  sweetly  influenced  through  the 
Spirit  of  grace,  to  present  our  bodies  a  living  sacrifice, 
holy,  acceptable  unto  God,  which  is  our  reasonable 
service.  (Rom.  xii,  1.) 

This  part  of  that  glorious  work  of  redemption,  which 
Christ  performs  in  us  by  his  Spirit,  is  so  essential,  that, 
without  it,  all  our  views  of  Gospel  truths,  however 
orthodox,  and  all  our  trust  in  his  atonement,  however 
consoling,  are  mere  delusions ;  for  "  whom  he  justifieth, 
them  he  also  glorifieth."  (Rom.  viii,  30.) 

Sanctification  is  as  essential  to  our  enjoyment  of 
heaven,  as  justification  is  to  our  admittance  into  it. 


172  TWO    PILLARS. 

Without  faith,  it  is  impossible  to  please  God.  (Heb.  xi, 
6.)  Without  holiness,  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord.  (Heb. 
xii,  14.) 

Happy,  then,  is  the  man  whose  hopes  of  heaven  rest 
upon  these  two  adamantine  pillars ;  without  either  of 
which,  the  fabric  cannot  stand. 

Blessed  Jesus  !  may  my  hope  be  fixed  wholly  upon 
thee.  Be  thou  my  rock,  my  only  confidence,  my  soul's 
unbounded  trust.  Whilst  simply  resting  on  thy  great 
atonement,  may  I  daily  feel  this  inward  work  of  grace, 
that  so  thy  living  care  may  perfect  what  thy  dying  love 
began. 

Great  God  of  mercy,  hail ! 

To  thee  I  lift  my  voice ; 
Thy  comforts  never  fail 

The  faithful  to  rejoice. 

What  matchless  wonders  shine 

In  rich,  redeeming  love  ; 
Where  attributes  divine 

In  sweetest  concord  move. 

Stern  Justice  smiles  content, 

And  lays  his  thunders  by, 
Since  Jesus  underwent 

The  death  of  Calvary. 

The  trembling  sinner  now 

Can  boldly  plead  with  God; 
And  mercy  can  bestow 

The  pardon  bought  with  blood. 

Thy  truth,  which  never  fails, 

A  bless'd  assurance  gives ; 
For  Christ  the  Lord  prevails, 

And  high  in  glory  lives. 

He  lives,  to  intercede ; 

To  send  the  Spirit  down 
To  help  his  people's  need, 

And  all  his  mercies  crown. 


TWO    WAYS. 

What  depth  of  sovereign  love, 
What  breadth,  before  me  lies ! 

Its  height  is  heaven  above, 
Its  length  exceeds  the  skies. 

An  ocean  deep  and  wide, 
Where  angel  minds  are  lost  j 

An  ever-swelling  tide, 
Refreshing  ev'ry  coast 

How  rich  the  prospect  glows 
Beyond  this  vale  of  tears ; 

Where  crystal  water  flows, 
And  verdure  crowns  the  years. 

Oh  blessed  Spirit !  come, 
Conduct  me,  by  thy  grace, 

To  that  eternal  home 
Where  I  shall  see  thy  face. 

Ye  happy  saints,  rejoice, 
Who  feel  the  Spirit's  pow'r  j 

Lift  up  your  grateful  voice, 
And  wait  the  joyful  hour. 

'Twill  soon  arrive,  with  smiles, 
With  healing  on  its  wing ; 

To  bear  us  far  from  toils, 
To  Christ  our  heav'nly  king. 


m 


XXX. ON    THE    TWO    WAYS. 

"Unto  this  people  thou  shalt  say,  thus  saith  the  Lord : 
behold,  I  set  before  you  the  way  of  life  and  the  way  of 
death."  (Jer.  xxi,  8.)  These  important  words  were 
spoken  to  the  Jews,  when  the  king  of  Babylon  was  draw- 
ing near  to  besiege  the  city  of  Jerusalem.  Those  who 
fell  to  the  Chaldeans  should  find  the  way  of  life  ;  whilst 
those  who  remained  in  the  city  should  be  in  the  way  of 
death. 

15* 


174  TWO    WAYS. 

But  these  expressive  words  may  be  addressed  to  all, 
in  every  age  ;  and  more  especially  to  those  who  live  in 
Gospel  times. 

The  commission  given  by  our  Lord  to  his  apostles,  just 
before  his  ascension  into  heaven,  speaks  the  same  lan- 
guage :  "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  Gos- 
pel to  every  creature  ;  he  that  believeth,  and  is  baptized, 
shall  be  saved;  and  he  that  believeth  not,  shall  be 
damned." 

Thus,  faith  in  Jesus  is  the  way  of  life  ;  rejection  of 
him  is  the  way  of  death.  The  Gospel,  therefore,  sets 
before  us  life  and  death.  Hence,  St.  John  says,  "  he 
that  hath  the  Son,  hath  life ;  and  he  that  hath  not  the 
Son  of  God,  hath  not  life." 

In  conformity  with  which  truth,  John  the  Baptist 
declared,  when  bearing  witness  to  the  divinity  and  Mes- 
siahship  of  Jesus  :  "  he  that  believeth  on  the  Son,  hath 
everlasting  life  ;  and  he  that  believeth  not  the  Son,  shall 
not  see  life,  but  the  wrath  of  God  abideth  on  him." 

Our  Lord  declares  also  respecting  himself,  in  terms  too 
plain  to  be  misunderstood,  "  I  am  the  icay,  the  truth,  and 
the  life  ;  no  man  cometh  unto  the  Father  but  by  me." 

All,  then,  who  receive  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  a  true 
and  living  faith,  are  in  the  way  of  life.  They  draw 
nigh  to  God  by  that  new  and  living  way  which  he  has 
consecrated  for  us  ;  and,  persevering  in  this  way,  shall 
reach  the  heavenly  Zion,  and  have  right  to  enter  by  the 
gates  into  the  city. 

This  way  of  life  our  blessed  Lord  represents  as  diffi- 
cult to  fallen  nature.  "Strait  is  the  gate,  and  narrow 
is  the  way,  that  leadeth  unto  life,  and  few  there  be  that 
find  it."  This  difficulty  arises  not  from  the  road  itself, 
but  from  the  nature  of  those  who  walk  in  it. 

The  first  entrance  is  truly  difficult  to  the  awakened 
sinner,  owing  to  the  abounding  evils  of  his  heart,  all 


TWO    WAYS.  175 

rising  up  against  the  strait,  self-denying,  flesh-crucify- 
ing gate  by  which  he  must  enter.  Grace,  however, 
enables  him  to  overcome  these  workings  of  corruption, 
and  to  pass,  by  deep  repentance  and  humble,  faith, 
through  the  strait  gate.  This  is  a  blessed  step  towards 
eternal  felicity. 

But  when  in  the  way  of  life,  he  finds  it  narrow ;  for 
his  desires,  being  sadly  mixed  with  evil,  too  often  wan- 
der after  those  gratifications  which  lie  beyond  the  limits 
of  the  way  in  which  he  is  to  walk.  This  grieves  the 
Holy  Spirit,  wounds  his  conscience,  and  occasions  that 
warfare  with  his  corrupt  inclinations  which  constitutes 
no  small  part  of  the  fight  of  faith.  He  labors  to  keep 
his  heart  writhin  the  boundary  of  the  narrow  way,  and 
to  bring  every  thought  into  captivity  to  the  obedience  of 
Christ.  But  still,  when  he  would  do  good,  evil  is  pre- 
sent with  him.  The  law  in  his  members  wars  against 
the  law  of  his  mind,  and  compels  him  to  cry  out,  "  Oh ! 
wretched  man  that  I  am,  who  shall  deliver  me  V*  Yet, 
this  painful  consciousness  of  evil  is  mercifully  overruled 
for  good,  by  driving  him  continually  to  the  strong  for 
strength, — to  the  Saviour  for  salvation.  By  experience, 
he  learns  that  his  sufficiency  is  of  God ;  that  under  all 
exigencies,  the  grace  of  Jesus  is  sufficient  for  him ;  that 
when  he  is  weak,  then  he  is  strong. 

The  Christian  has  to  journey  to  the  heavenly  Canaan, 
through  the  wilderness  of  this  world ;  therefore,  like  the 
Israelites  of  old,  his  soul  is  sometimes  discouraged  be- 
cause of  the  way.  The  world  frowns — Satan  assaults 
— providences  darken — corruptions  harass.  All  these 
things  produce,  for  a  season,  much  discouragement. 
Like  Peter,  he  looks  at  the  raging  waves,  instead  of  the 
omnipotent  Saviour ;  and  then  he  begins  to  sink  into 
despondency,  and  would  be  overwhelmed  in  the  deeps 
of  mental  affliction,  did  not  the  compassionate  Jesus 


176  TWO    WAYS. 

stretch  out  the  hand  of  mercy,  and  uphold  him  by  his 
mighty  power. 

He  now  learns  the  evil  of  unbelief  and  mistrust  of  a 
Saviour's  love.  He  is  much  in  prayer  for  the  guidance 
and  help  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  by  whose  sacred  influence 
and  direction  he  is  enabled  to  look  unto  Jesus  under 
every  trial,  and  to  walk  before  him  in  love  and  childlike 
obedience. 

Thus,  to  every  humble  pilgrim,  strength  is  imparted ; 
realizing  views  of  the  faithfulness  of  Emanuel  are 
vouchsafed ;  and  he  is  made  to  rise  superior  to  every 
discouragement,  and  to  walk,  with  increasing  alacrity 
and  joy,  along  the  narrow  way  which  leadeth  unto  life 
eternal. 

How  awful  is  the  condition  of  those  who,  entering  by 
the  wide  gate  into  the  broad  way,  "  enlarge  their  desires 
as  hell ;"  till,  having  filled  up  the  measure  of  their  ini- 
quity, they  come,  as  vessels  fitted  for  destruction  by  their 
own  wilful  transgressions,  into  the  place  of  everlasting 
torment. 

What  a  painful  consideration,  that,  respecting  the 
narrow  way,  "  few  there  be  that  find  it ;"  whilst  of  the 
wide  gate,  our  Lord  hath  said,  "  many  there  be  which 
go  in  thereat." 

I  am  a  dying  creature,  walking  on  the  verge  of  an 
awful  eternity.  Heaven  and  hell  lie  before  me  ;  to  one 
of  these  places  I  am,  at  the  close  of  every  day,  advanced 
a  day's  journey.  This  day  may  bring  me  to  my  eternal 
abode  of  happiness  or  misery.  The  sleep  which  I  take 
this  night  may  be  the  sleep  of  death — and  should  it  be 
so — where  would  my  spirit,  dislodged  from  earth,  find 
itself]  Oh !  my  soul,  ask  thyself,  with  all  the  solem- 
nity which  becomes  so  awful  a  question,  whither  am  I 
going  1  Soon  I  must  be  called  into  the  presence  of  my 
Judge ;  but,  what  reception  shall  I  meet  with  there  1 


TWO    WAYS.  177 

What  award  does  conscience  now  make  1  Have  I  be- 
lieved with  the  heart  unto  righteousness  ]  Is  the  life 
which  I  note  live,  a  life  of  faith  in  the  Son  of  God  ?  I 
find,"  from  the  word  of  God,  that  two  roads  lie  through 
the  wilderness  of  this  world.  The  one,  at  its  beginning, 
is  pleasant  to  carnal  nature,  being  strewed  with  forbid- 
den pleasures,  sensual  delights,  and  animal  gratifica- 
tions ;  but,  growing  darker,  and  more  crooked  and  thorny 
as  it  advances,  it  ends  abruptly  in  eternal  misery.  The 
other,  difficult  at  the  entrance,  requires  many  sacrifices, 
and  much  self-denial ;  but,  gradually  increasing  in  light 
and  beauty,  it  terminates  in  the  blissful  regions  of 
immortal  glory.  In  which  of  these  roads  am  I  now 
walking  ] 

Oh  my  beloved  Saviour  !  thou  knowest  my  heart ; 
thou  art  acquainted  with  every  thought,  affection,  and 
desire  that  riseth  within  me.  Thou  knowest  that  I 
would  follow  thee  along  the  narrow  way.  Lead  me  in 
the  paths  of  righteousness — draw  me,  and  I  will  run 
dfter  thee.     Thou  art  thyself  the  way  to  heavenly  glory. 

When  I  find  a  cross  laid  before  me,  suffer  me  not  to 
turn  aside,  but  give  me  strength  to  take  it  up  and  follow 
after  thee. 

When  the  travellers  in  the  broad  road,  with  specious 
arguments  and  smiling  faces,  though  with  aching  hearts, 
would  labor  to  entice  me  from  the  path  of  life,  let  me 
not  be  deceived  by  their  sophistry,  or  ensnared  by  their 
wiles. 

When  the  clouds  of  adversity  darken  my  prospects, 
and  the  night  of  sorrow  obscures  my  way,  then,  Oh ! 
blessed  Jesus,  support  my  fainting  steps,  cheer  my  droop- 
ing soul  with  thy  celestial  promises,  and  give  me  strength 
and  courage  equal  to  my  day. 

When  Satan  tempts  and  harasses  my  soul ;  when  in- 
bred evils  rise  within  me  and  rebel :  then,  gracious  Sa- 


178  TWO    WAYS. 

viour,  put  forth  thy  mighty  arm  in  my  defence,  lest  I 
fall,  through  manifold  temptations,  from  the  heavenly 
road. 

Thou  alone  art  my  strength.  In  thee  I  am  strong. 
Increase  my  faith,  that  I  may  be  daily  united  more 
closely  to  thyself.  Wean  me  from  the  vanities  of  the 
world.  Screen  me  from  the  enticements  of  sin.  Guard 
me  from  the  fiery  darts  of  Satan. 

Thus  may  I  walk,  Oh !  blessed  Emanuel,  in  close 
communion  with  thee,  in  the  consolations  of  thy  Spirit, 
in  the  enjoyment  of  thy  love,  in  peace  of  conscience, 
and  serenity  of  mind,  till  I  arrive  at  the  gates  of  death, 
where  some  appointed  herald  of  glory  may  be  stationed 
to  conduct  my  disembodied  spirit  into  thy  blissful  pre- 
sence, there  to  dwell  with  thee,  and  gaze  on  thy  glories 
with  rapture  and  delight  for  ever  ! 

Oh!  could  I  feel  the  sweet  transforming  pow'r, 
The  holy  influence  of  my  heav'nly  Friend ; 

Then  should  I  hail  the  last  dissolving  hour, 
When  sin  and  sorrow  would  for  ever  end. 

A  pilgrim  journeying  through  a  land  of  wo, 
I  daily  need  the  Shepherd's  guardian  care  j 

'Tis  he  alone  my  ev'ry  grief  can  know. 
'Tis  he  alone  can  break  the  fatal  snare. 

Bless'd  Saviour,  look  in  pity  on  my  soul, 

Enfold  me  in  thy  arms  of  boundless  love  j 
Permit  a  traveller  on  thy  strength  to  roll 

That  burden,  which  thou  only  canst  remove. 

Oh  give  me  faith,  to  reach  the  blissful  place 

Where  joyful  hope  shall  to  fruition  grow ; 
Where  Zion's  pilgrims  shall  behold  thy  face, 

And  ever  dwell  where  living  waters  flow. 


MERCY   REJOICING    AGAINST    JUDGMENT.  179 


XXXI. MERCY    REJOICING    AGAINST    JUDGMENT. 

The  promises  of  God,  which  in  Christ  are  yea,  and 
in  him  amen,  shine  with  resplendent  lustre  in  the  pages 
of  eternal  truth.  Nothing  but  unbelief  can  prevent  the 
soul  from  enjoying  the  sweetness,  or  experiencing  the 
purifying  efficacy,  of  those  exceeding  great  and  precious 
promises  of  grace  and  mercy. 

The  manner  in  which  many  of  them  are  introduced 
by  the  prophets,  must  have  filled  the  ancient  believers 
with  astonishment. 

When  the  prophet,  in  the  name  of  Jehovah,  had  been 
declaring  to  his  rebellious  people  their  multiplied  trans- 
gressions, we  might  naturally  expect  to  find  the  cata- 
logue of  their  crimes  closed  by  a  denunciation  of  de- 
served vengeance  and  final  abandonment.  But,  how 
great  is  our  surprise,  to  behold  mercy  rejoicing  against 
judgment ;  to  find,  that  where  sin  abounded,  grace  did 
much  more  abound. 

The  following  striking  passages  will  fully  verify  this 
assertion.  In  the  first  chapter  of  Isaiah,  the  Jews  are 
called  "  a  sinful  nation,  a  people  laden  with  iniquity,  a 
seed  of  evil-doers,  children  that  are  corrupters."  The 
Almighty  declares  his  aversion  to  "  their  solemn  meet- 
ing ;"  that  when  they  spread  forth  their  hands,  he  would 
hide  his  face  from  them ;  when  they  made  many  prayers, 
he  would  not  hear.  And  then,  instead  of  threatened 
destruction,  the  prophet  adds,  "Wash  you,  make  you 
clean ;  put  away  the  evil  of  your  doings  from  before 
mine  eyes;  cease  to  do  evil,  learn  to  do  well:  seek  judg- 
ment, relieve  the  oppressed,  judge  the  fatherless,  plead 
for  the  widow.  Come  now,  and  let  us  reason  together, 
saith  the  Lord :  though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they 


180  MERCY    REJOICING    AGAINST    JUDGMENT. 

shall  be  as  white  as  snow;  though  they  be  red  like  crim- 
son, they  shall  be  as  wool." 

In  the  thirtieth  chapter,  the  sinfulness  of  the  Jews  is 
proclaimed,  in  forsaking  the  Lord,  and  trusting  in  the 
shadows  of  Egypt.  The  awful  consequences  of  this  de- 
parture are  declared ;  "  One  thousand  shall  flee  at  the 
rebuke  of  one  ;  at  the  rebuke  of  five  shall  ye  flee,  till  ye 
be  left  as  a  beacon  upon  the  top  of  a  mountain,  and  as 
an  ensign  on  a  hill.  And  therefore" — mark  the  surpris- 
ing termination — "and  therefore  will  the  Lord  wait, 
that  he  may  be  gracious  unto  you ;  and  therefore  will 
he  be  exalted,  that  he  may  have  mercy  upon  you  :  for 
the  Lord  is  a  God  of  judgment,  blessed  are  ail  they  that 
wait  for  him." 

Thus  we  behold  the  lovely  character  of  our  God. 
Vengeance  is  his  strange  work,  whilst  mercy  is  his  de- 
light. "As  I  live,  saith  the  Lord,  I  have  no  pleasure  in 
the  death  of  the  wicked  ;  but  that  the  wicked  turn  from 
his  way  and  live." 

Again,  in  the  thirty-second  chapter,  the  prophet  de- 
clares :  "Many  days  and  years  shall  ye  be  troubled,  ye 
careless  women  ;  upon  the  land  of  my  people  shall  come 
up  thorns  and  briars ;  the  palaces  shall  be  forsaken ;  the 
multitude  of  the  city  shall  be  left ;  the  forts  and  towers 
shall  be  for  dens  for  ever,  a  joy  of  wild  asses,  a  pasture 
for  flocks." 

How  long  shall  this  desolation  continue  ?  Is  the  pros- 
pect of  misery  boundless  1  Ah,  no  !  for  thus  only  shall 
it  be,  "until  the  Spirit  be  poured  upon  us  from  on  high, 
and  the  wilderness  be  a  fruitful  field ;  and  the  fruitful 
field  be  counted  for  a  forest :  then  judgment  shall  dwell 
in  the  wilderness,  and  righteousness  remain  in  the  fruit- 
ful field,  and  the  work  of  righteousness  shall  be  peace, 
and  the  effect  of  righteousness,  quietness  and  assurance 
for  ever." 


MERCY    REJOICING    AGAINST    JUDGMENT.  181 

Mercy  promised,  forbids  despair.  Long-suffering  lead- 
eth  to  repentance. 

How  tou  ;hingly  beautiful  is  the  following  display  of 
judgment  and  mercy  ! 

"Who  gave  Jacob  for  a  spoil,  and  Israel  to  the  rob- 
bers? Did  not  the  Lord,  he  against  whom  we  have 
sinned?  For  they  would  not  walk  in  his  ways,  neither 
were  they  obedient  unto  his  law.  Therefore  he  hath 
poured  upon  him  the  fury  of  his  anger  and  the  strength 
of  battle  ;  and  it  hath  set  him  on  fire  round  about,  }Tet 
he  knew  it  not ;  and  it  burned  him,  yet  he  laid  it  not  to 
heart.  But  now,  thus  saith  the  Lord  that  created  thee, 
Oh  Jacob,  and  he  that  formed  thee,  Oh  Israel :  Fear 
not,  for  I  have  redeemed  thee  ;  I  have  called  thee  by 
thy  name  ;  thou  art  mine.  When  thou  passest  through 
the  waters,  I  will  be  with  thee  ;  and  through  the  rivers, 
they  shall  not  overflow  thee.  When  thou  walkest 
through  the  fire,  thou  shalt  not  be  burned,  neither  shall 
the  flame  kindle  upon  thee."   (Isaiah  xlii  and  xliii.) 

The  Almighty  Creator,  taking,  as  it  were,  a  survey 
of  bis  moral  creatures,  says  of  his  chosen  people,  (Isaiah 
xliii .) 

"This  pecple  have  I  formed  for  mj^self;  they  shall 
show  forth  my  praise.  But  thou  hast  been  weary  of  me, 
Oh  Israel !  thou  hast  not  brought  me  the  small  cattle 
of  thy  burnt  offerings  ;  nether  hast  thou  honored  me 
with  thy  sacrifices.  I  have  not  caused  thee  to  serve 
with  an  offering,  nor  wearied  thee  with  incense.  Thou 
hast  bought  me  no  sweet  cane  with  mone3T,  neither  hast 
thou  filled  me  with  the  fat  of  thy  sacrifices;  but  thou 
hast  made  me  to  serve  with  thy  sins ;  thou  hast  wearied 
me  with  thine  iniquities"  Surely  now  the  deserved  ven- 
geance will  be  pronounced.  Oh  my  soul !  read  with 
holy  admiration  these  accents  of  mercy. 

"  I,  even  I,  am  he  that  blotteth  out  thy  transgressions 
16 


18%  MERCY    REJOICING    AGAINST    JUDGMENT. 

for  mine  own  sake,  and  will  not  remember  thy  sins  ;  put 
me  in  remembrance;  let  us  plead  together;  declare  thou, 
that  thou  mayest  be  justified." 

Must  we  not  exclaim  with  David,  "  There  is  mercy 
with  thee,  that  thou  mayest  be  feared  ?" 

Must  we  not  acknowledge  the  force  of  St.  John's  de- 
claration, "  We  love  him,  because  he  first  loved  us  V? 

Must  we  not  confess  with  St.  Paul,  "  Not  by  works  of 
righteousness  which  we  have  done,  but  according  to  his 
mercy,  he  hath  saved  us?"  How  precious  are  the  Scrip- 
tures of  truth  !  They  are  full  of  the  loving-kindness  of 
the  Lord,  of  the  goodness  of  our  God. 

The  few  specimens  here  given  will  serve  to  show  the 
extraordinary  manner  in  which  the  promises  are  often 
introduced.  The  prophet  first  declares  the  guilt  of  God's 
professing  people,  in  order  to  humble  their  hearts,  and 
convince  them  of  sin.  He  then  proclaims  the  divine 
mercy  on  their  true  faith  and  repentance,  as  is  strikingly 
shown  in  the  first  chapter  of  Isaiah. 

Well  may  we  join  the  holy  prophet,  and  say,  "  Sing, 
Oh  ye  heavens,  for  the  Lord  hath  done  it ;  shout,  ye 
lower  parts  of  the  earth ;  break  forth  into  singing,  ye 
mountains,  Oh  forest,  and  every  tree  therein  ;  for  the 
Lord  hath  redeemed  Jacob,  and  glorified  himself  in 
Israel." 

Surely  mercy  rejoices  against  judgment,  whilst  it  ex- 
claims, in  accents  of  redeeming  love,  "  Deliver  him  from 
going  down  to  the  pit;  I  have  found  a  ransom."  (Job 
xxxiii,  24.) 

"  If  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  advocate  with  the  Fa- 
ther, Jesus  Christ  the  righteous." — "  If  we  confess  our 
sins,  He  is  faithful  and  just  to  forgive  us  our  sins,  and 
to  cleanse  us  from  all  unrighteousness." 

"  Come,  and  let  us  return  unto  the  Lord,  for  he  hath 
torn,  and  he  will  heal  us  j  he  hath  smitten,  and  he  will 


MERCY    REJOICING    AGAINST    JUDGMENT.  183 

bind  us  up.  Truly,  in  vain  is  salvation  hoped  for  from 
the  hills,  and  from  the  multitude  of  mountains  ;  truly  in 
the  Lord  our  God  is  the  salvation  of  Israel.  Behold,  we 
come  unto  thee,  for  thou  art  the  Lord  our  God." 

"  Bless  the  Lord,  Oh  my  soul !  and  all  that  is  within 
me  bless  his  holy  name  ;  for  he  is  a  just  God  and  a  Sa- 
viour ;  just,  and  yet  the  justifier  of  him  that  believeth 
in  Jesus."  "  God  is  love."  "  Blessed  is  the  man  that 
trusteth  in  him." 

My  soul,  in  grateful  strains  record 

The  love  of  thy  redeeming  Lord ; 

To  all  around  his  praises  tell, 

Who  snatch'd  thee  from  the  verge  of  hell. 

"Why  should  Jehovah  condescend 
To  call  himself  the  sinner's  friend? 
Or  why  in  terms  so  sweet  proclaim 
His  mercy  in  a  Father's  name  ? 

Bless'd  Saviour,  in  thy  work  I  see 
Why  God  is  merciful  to  me ; 
How  he  a  rebel  can  receive ; 
How  he  can  all  my  sins  forgive. 

'Tis  faith  in  thy  atoning  blood 
Averts  of  wrath  the  angry  flood ; 
'Tis  faith  in  righteousness  divine 
Makes  all  thy  saving  merits  mine. 

Descend,  bless'd  Spirit,  from  above, 
In  all  the  energy  of  love ; 
To  me  thy  heav'nly  gifts  impart, 
And  seal  salvation  to  my  heart. 

Then,  in  those  sweet  abodes  of  peace, 
Where  grateful  accents  never  cease, 
A  living  monument  of  grace, 
I'll  strive  to  sing  thy  loudest  praise. 


184  INTELLECTUAL    AND    SPIRITUAL    LIGHT. 


XXXII. ON  INTELLECTUAL  AND  SPIRITUAL  LIGHT. 

The  whole  world  lieth  in  wickedness,  in  a  state  of 
spiritual  darkness.  Out  of  this  darkness,  sinners  are 
called  by  the  Gospel ;  and  when,  through  grace,  they 
arise  and  depart  out  of  this  valley  of  the  shadow  of 
death,  they  are  admitted  into  the  marvellous  light  of  the 
everlasting  covenant,  and  become  the  children  of  light 
and  of  the  day. 

Thus  they  who  were  not  a  people  become  the  people 
of  God ;  arid  they  are  called  beloved,  who  were  not.  be- 
loved. Those  who  were  afar  off,  are  made  nigh  by  the 
blood  of  Christ;  and  those  who  were  strangers  and  for- 
eigners, are  made  fellow-citizens  with  the  saints,  and  of 
the  household  of  God.  Thus  grace  reigns  through 
righteousness  unto  eternal  life,  by  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord. 

Hence  a  most  important  and  vital  distinction  must  be 
made  between  mere  intellectual  light  and  the  divine 
illumination  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  a  distinction  which, 
like  a  powerful  scythe,  will  cut  down  many  a  fair  herb, 
many  a  beautiful  flower,  in  the  garden  of  nature. 

Natural  light,  improved  by  human  instruction  and 
study,  is  confined  altogether  to  the  head. 

Spiritual  light,  derived  from  above,  enlightens  the 
understanding,  whilst  it  renews  and  purines  the  heart. 

History  furnishes  us  with  many  instances  of  men  en- 
dowed with  all  the  riches  of  science,  whose  hearts  were 
full  of  enmity  against  God  ;  though  some  happy  excep- 
tions have,  through  grace,  blessed  and  benefited  the 
world. 

Intellectual  light  may  soften  the  character,  and  im- 
prove the  morals  ;  but  experience  testifies  that  nothing 


INTELLECTUAL    AND    SPIRITUAL    LIGHT.  185 

but  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  can  new-create  the 
soul.  God  works  by  his  word.  Hence  the  Scriptural 
exhortation  to  sinners  is,  "Awake,  thou  that  sleepest, 
and  arise  from  the  dead,  and  Christ  shall  give  thee  light;" 
and  when  divine  power  accompanies  the  command,  the 
dead  soul  arises  to  spiritual  life  and  action. 

To  believers,  the  command  is,  "  Arise,  shine ;  for  thy 
light  is  come ;  the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  risen  upon  thee :" 
and  then  new  vigor  and  energy  is  felt  in  these  seasons 
of  refreshing,  when  Jesus  arises  on  his  people  with  heal- 
ing in  his  wings. 

Spiritual  light,  thus  descending  from  "  the  Sun  of 
righteousness,"  is  received  through  the  medium  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  read  with  prayer  :  and  through  the  in- 
strumentality of  the  Gospel,  faithfully  preached,  and 
heard  in  a  spirit  of  faith.  But  through  whatever  chan- 
nel it  is  received,  it  is  always  communicated  by  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  is  known  by  its  sanctifying  effects  on 
the  mind,  conscience,  and  heart. 

All  who  do  not  possess  this  spiritual  light  are  in  a 
state  of  darkness,  however  bright  and  luminous  their 
intellectual  light  may  be. 

How  frequently  do  we  find  men  of  science  and  deep 
research  completely  blinded,  with  respect  to  the  divine 
science  of  living  to  God  ! 

And,  what  is  still  more  painful,  how  often  do  we  meet 
with  persons,  in  this  day  of  Gospel  light,  who  have  very 
clear  views  of  the  truth ;  who  are  able  to  speak,  not  only 
fluently  upon  the  mysteries  of  grace,  but  even  to  delight 
and  edify  those  who  hear  them  :  and  yet,  who  are  them- 
selves destitute  of  true  humility,  genuine  love  to  the 
Saviour,  and  that  spiritual-mindedness  which  is  life  and 
peace.  Thus,  however  illuminated  their  understandings 
may  be,  they  are,  in  the  eye  of  a  heart-searching  God, 
in  a  state  of  spiritual  blindness. 

16* 


186  INTELLECTUAL    AND    SPIRITUAL    LIGHT. 

Surely,  then,  the  above  distinction  is  most  important. 

How  many  bright  professors  does  it  involve  in  dark- 
ness !  how  many  shining  candles  does  it  put  out ! 
"  The  natural  man  receiveth  not  the  things  of  the  Spirit 
of  God,  for  they  are  foolishness  unto  him ;  neither  can 
he  know  them,  because  they  are  spiritually  discerned" 

u  Though  I  understand  all  mysteries  and  all  know- 
ledge, and  have  not  charity,  I  am  nothing." 

"  The  world,  by  wisdom,  knows  not  God." 

"  They  have  well  said,  all  that  they  have  spoken.  Oh ! 
that  there  were  such  a  heart  in  them,  that  they  would 
fear  me  and  keep  all  my  commandments  always." 

"Not  every  one  that  saith  unto  me,  Lord,  Lord,  shall 
enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven  ;  but  he  that  doeth  the 
will  of  my  father  which  is  in  heaven." 

"  If  ye  know  these  things,  happy  are  ye  if  ye  do  them." 

These,  and  many  other  passages  which  might  be  ad- 
duced, prove  the  immense  difference  betwixt  head  know- 
ledge and  heart  religion.  The  former  is  the  pride  of 
the  hypocrite ;  the  latter  is  the  portion  of  the  humble 
penitent. 

Oh  !  my  soul,  examine  well  into  thy  real  state  and 
condition  before  God.  Be  not  satisfied  with  how  much 
thou  knowest,  but  see  what  effect  the  knowledge  which 
thou  hast  attained  has  upon  the  heart  and  life.  Art 
thou  acquainted  with  thy  fallen  state  by  nature,  and  thy 
superadded  wretchedness  through  actual  transgression  1 
If  this  awful  truth  has  been  admitted  into  thy  under- 
standing, :o  far  it  is  well.  But  rest  not  here.  This  is 
merely  intellectual  light,  if  its  rays  extend  no  further. 
Search  and  see  whether  its  piercing  beams  have  reached 
thy  conscience,  and,  like  forked  lightning  in  the  midst  of 
Sinai's  thunder,  struck  thee  with  conviction  and  dismay. 
Like  Saul  of  Tarsus,  has  it  struck  thee  to  the  ground, 
and  laid  thee  low  in  the  dust  of  deep  humiliation  ] 


INTELLECTUAL    AND    SPIRITUAL    LIGHT.  1S7 

Without  this  self-abasing  experience  of  the  total  cor- 
ruption of  thy  nature,  and  this  heart-humbling  sense  of 
thy  own  extreme  depravity,  all  thy  knowledge  is  merely 
human,  "  taught  by  the  precept  of  men,"  and  leaves 
thee  in  a  state  of  spiritual  insensibility;  the  more  dan- 
gerous, because  the  more  liable  to  make  thee  contented 
with  the  barren  knowledge  of  thy  condition,  and  to 
substitute  the  shadow  for  the  substance. 

With  respect  to  all  the  other  great  and  glorious  doc- 
trines of  grace,  the  same  important  questions  must  be 
put  to  the  heart ;  for  faith,  without  works,  is  dead. 

The  Christians,  to  whom  St.  Peter  wrote,  were  called 
"  out  of  darkness  into  marvellous  light." 

Have  I  been  thus  called  by  sovereign  grace,  by  al- 
mighty love,  into  a  light  which  may  be  denominated 
"marvellous?"  The  mere  reception  of  divine  truth 
into  the  mind  does  not  deserve  this  appellation. 

But,  when  the  light  of  truth  discovers  to  myself  the 
hidden  evils  of  my  heart ;  when  it  shows  me  the  deform- 
ity of  sin,  the  vileness  of  my  nature,  and  thus  fills  me 
with  shame  and  self-abhorrence,  it  is,  indeed,  a  "mar- 
vellous light."  When  the  light  of  truth  reveals  to  my 
soul  the  blessed  Jesus  in  the  essential  dignity  of  his 
person ;  the  suitableness  of  his  glorious  offices  in  the 
covenant  of  redemption  ;  the  greatness,  freeness,  and 
extent  of  his  love  in  becoming  man,  and  expiring  on  the 
cross,  that  he  might  save  rebellious  sinners ;  and,  when 
this  view  of  a  loving  Saviour  fills  my  soul  with  love, 
admiration,  delight,  and  joy,  it  may  well  be  called  a 
"marvellous  light." 

When  the  light  of  truth  takes  away  the  false  glare 
of  the  world,  and  shows  me  its  real  worth  ;  that  all  is 
vanity  and  vexation  of  spirit ;  when  every  thing  is  placed 
in  its  true  light,  and  seen  through  a  clear  medium  ;  and 
when  this  view  sobers  my  expectations,  and  weans  my 


188  INTELLECTUAL    AND    SPIRITUAL    LIGHT. 

affections  from  the  world :  then  it  is  truly  a  "marvellous 
light." 

When  the  light  of  truth  unveils  the  world  of  spirits, 
and  opens  to  my  wondering  sight  the  unutterable  glo- 
ries of  eternity ;  when  I  behold  the  blissful  seats,  the 
happy  mansions,  and  the  peaceful  abodes  of  the  redeem- 
ed ;  when  I  contemplate  the  fulness  of  their  joy  in  being 
for  ever  with  their  Lord,  and  like  their  Lord ;  and  when 
this  prospect  of  the  saints'  felicity  makes  holiness  more 
lovely,  and  my  breathings  for  the  Spirit  of  grace  more 
ardent  ;  when  it  makes  me  long  and  labor  after  an 
admittance,  through  faith  in  Jesus,  into  those  bright 
abodes  :  then  it  is  a  "  marvellous  light." 

Oh  thou  glorious  Sun  of  righteousness,  thou  light  of 
the  world  !  shine  into  my  heart,  that  I  may  be  light  in 
the  Lord ;  and  walk  as  a  child  of  light,  shining,  by 
reflection,  to  thy  praise  and  glory. 

Oh  !  preserve  me  from  resting  in  outward  forms,  or 
barren  speculations.  Let  nothing  satisfy  my  soul  but 
the  possession  of  thyself,  dwelling  in  my  heart  by 
faith,  and  filling  me  with  peace  and  joy,  blended  with 
holy  fear. 

Oh  !  grant  that  I  may  ever  prefer  thee  to  every  thing 
in  earth  or  heaven  ;  for  thou,  blessed  Jesus,  with  the 
Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  three  persons  in  one  Jeho- 
vah, art  alone  worthy  of  all  love,  adoration,  and  praise. 

Everlasting  praises  be  given  unto  thee  by  men  and 
angels.  Oh  my  soul,  begin  now  the  eternal  anthem. 
However  feeble  the  string,  yet  let  it  vibrate  to  the  praise 
of  thy  God.  However  weak  thy  notes,  yet  let  them 
ascend,  in  grateful  adorations,  to  Him  who  hath  loved 
thee,  and  washed  thee  from  thy  sins  in  his  own  blood. 
To  Him  be  all  honor,  glory,  and  power,  ascribed  by 
every  tongue,  henceforth  and  for  ever.  Amen  and 
Amen. 


KNOWLEDGE    AND    WISDOM.  189 

Oh  thou,  from  whom  all  blessings  spring, 
Accept  the  offering  which  I  bring : 
A  grateful  tribute — heartfelt  praise, 
For  all  the  riches  of  thy  grace. 

Shall  I  enjoy  thy  bounty,  Lord, 
And  not  thy  boundless  love  record? 
Oh !  let  me  tell  to  all  around 
What  joys  in  Jesu's  name  abound. 

Jesus!  fhy  saving  name  contains 
Eternal  glories — endless  gains; 
The  sinner,  pardon'd  by  thy  gn\ee, 
Is  made  thy  chosen  dwelling-place. 

Bless  thou  the  Lord,  my  soul,  and  sing 
Unceasing  praises  to  thy  King, 
Whose  love  through  all  his  counsels  shine, 
Transcendent,  matchless,  and  divine. 


XXXIII. ON    KNOWLEDGE    AND    WISDOM. 

What  can  be  more  agreeable  to  the  dictates  of  true 
wisdom,  than  that  a  creature  should  love  and  obey  its 
Creator,  when  that  creature  is  endued  with  faculties 
capable  of  loving  and  obeying  the  Author  of  its  exist- 
ence 1  The  reverse  of  this  constitutes  the  grossest 
impiety. 

No  man  of  reflection,  however  carried  away  by  his 
passions,  or  perverted  in  his  views  of  divine  revelation, 
can  help  allowing,  that  to  love  the  supreme  good,  is  the 
truest  wisdom  ;  and  to  obey  the  supreme  governor,  the 
highest  duty. 

Yet  men,  who  pass  for  philosophers,  who  can  unfold 
the  beauties  of  nature,  and  even  expatiate  on  the  charms 
of  virtue,  not  unfrequently  are  the  slaves  of  sensual 
pleasure,  and  enemies  to  the  Gospel  of  Christ :   thus 


190  KNOWLEDGE    AND    WISDOM. 

proving,  that  human  knowledge,  however  refined,  can 
never  reduce  the  rebel  state  of  the  affections  to  the  love 
and  fear  of  God ;  or  convert  the  wild,  tumultuous  pas- 
sions to  spiritual  order  and  peace. 

Men  may  talk  wisely  about  worldly  matters  ;  for  our 
"blessed  Lord  hath  declared,  that  "  the  children  of  this 
world  are  in  their  generation  wiser  than  the  children  of 
light ;"  but  the  wisest  worldly  character  can  never,  by 
any  natural  effort  of  the  understanding,  think  and  act 
wisely  about  spiritual  and  eternal  things. 

Orthodox  notions  of  the  truth  may  indeed  be  imbibed, 
whilst  the  heart  continues  under  the  influence  of  evil ; 
for  we  read  of  persons  "holding  the  truth  in  unright- 
eousness." But  true  wisdom  consists  not  in  the  bare 
knowledge  of  what  is  good,  but  in  reducing  that  know- 
ledge to  practice.  Thus,  I  may  know  that  it  is  my  duty 
to  love  and  obey  God;  but  I  am  only  wise,  when  I  really 
do  love  and  obey  him. 

If  I  had  to  cross  a  river  in  winter,  which  was  frozen 
over,  and  were  told,  that,  owing  to  a  current  in  the  mid- 
dle of  the  stream,  the  ice  would  be  too  weak  to  bear  my 
weight ;  this  knowledge  would  only  prove  beneficial,  in 
case  I  had  wisdom  enough  to  desist  from  the  hazardous 
attempt.  Should  I,  after  this  knowledge  of  the  state  of 
the  ice,  still  persist  in  crossing  the  river,  my  conduct 
would  be  termed  temerity  ;  and,  if  drowned,  men  would 
condemn  my  folly.  This  distinction  runs  through  all  the 
transactions  of  political,  civil,  and  commercial  life.  The 
truth  is  too  obvious  to  need  further  illustration  ;  it  must 
therefore  be  apparent,  that 

"  Knowledge  and  wisdom,  far  from  being  one, 
Have  ofttimes  no  connexion." 

Job,  with  beautiful  clearness,  points  out  to  us  the  na- 
ture of  true  wisdom.     It  is  not  the  knowledge  of  natural 


KNOWLEDGE    AND    WISDOM.  191 

objects ;  neither  can  created  things  impart  it.  "  The 
depth  saith,  It  is  not  in  me ;  and  the  sea  saith,  It  is  not 
in  me."  "  God  understandeth  the  way  thereof,  and  he 
knoweth  the  place  thereof."  "  Unto  man  he  said,  Be- 
hold the  fear  of  the  Lord,  that  is  wisdom,  and  to  depart 
from  evil  is  understanding." 

There  is  in  all  men  a  natural  desire  after  happiness. 
All  are  anxiously  in  quest  of  it.  The  inquiry  is,  "Who 
will  show  us  any  good  1" 

Man,  having  lost  his  way  through  the  fall,  is  now 
stumbling  upon  the  dark  mountains  of  vanity,  in  search 
of  that  treasure,  which  he  never  can  find  in  earthly 
things.  He  wants  to  be  happy.  To  obtain  this  bless- 
ing, he  is  willing  to  forego  many  present  enjoyments. 

Some  brave  the  billows  of  the  ocean  ;  others  dare  the 
cannon's  mouth ;  multitudes  rise  early,  and  late  take 
rest,  and  eat  the  bread  of  carefulness,  in  order  to  accu- 
mulate those  golden  stores,  which  they  fondly  hope  will 
purchase  happiness.  Riches  perchance  increase,  but 
cares  and  vexatious  anxieties  grow  up  together  with 
them.  Happiness,  like  a  flying  phantom,  still  eludes 
their  eager  grasp,  till,  compelled  at  length  to  give  up 
the  chase,  they  exclaim  with  Solomon,  "All  is  vanity 
and  vexation  of  spirit." 

Here  we  may  ask,  why  is  man  thus  restless  after  an 
imaginary  good?  why  does  every  possession  lose  its  value, 
and  every  enjoyment  its  zest,  whilst  that  certain  something, 
still  desired,  yet  unpossessed,  fastens  on  the  mind,  and 
renders  all  other  earthly  pleasures  comparatively  insipid] 

Is  it  not  that  man  was  originally  created  for  nobler 
ends,  than  those  which  he  is  now  pursuing  ?  He  re- 
sembles a  noble  temple  in  ruins.  We  see  the  fragments 
of  ancient  grandeur;  but  they  are  so  mutilated  and 
destroyed,  that  no  feeling  is  excited  but  that  of  pain, 
whilst  viewing  the  desolation. 


192  KNOWLEDGE    AND    WISDOM. 

The  Gospel,  like  a  guardian  angel,  points  out  to  man 
the  way  to  happiness.  Here  he  may  know  how  to  obtain 
felicity ;  and  here,  through  grace,  he  may  be  made  wise 
unto  salvation. 

Is  he  anxious  to  be  rich  1  The  Gospel  unfolds  to  his 
view  the  unsearchable  riches ;  whilst  the  Spirit  is  freely 
offered,  to  enable  him,  like  the  *cise  merchantman  in  the 
parable,  to  sell  all  and  buy  this  treasure. 

Is  he  thirsting  after  glory  1  The  Gospel  reveals  to 
him  that  honor  which  cometh  from  God  only  ;  and  that 
glory  which  is  prepared  for  the  righteous  in  a  future 
world. 

Is  he  desirous  to  obtain  a  name  1  The  Gospel  assures 
him  that,  if  a  believer,  his  name  is  written  in  heaven  ; 
for  the  righteous  shall  be  had  in  everlasting  remem- 
brance. 

Is  he  panting  after  pleasure?  The  Gospel  tells  him 
of  joy  unspeakable  ;  of  a  peace  which  passeth  under- 
standing; of  rivers  of  pleasure,  which  flow  at  God's  right 
hand  for  evermore. 

Thus  the  Gospel  of  grace  discovers  to  fallen  man,  not 
only  the  nature  of  true  happiness,  but  the  way  to  obtain 
it.  It  shows  him  the  source  of  all  misery — the  fall  op 
our  first  parents  ;  and  conducts  him  to  the  fountain 
of  all  blessedness — God  manifest  in  the  flesh. 

Through  faith  in  this  gracious  deliverer,  the  soul  is 
saved  from  the  guilt  and  power  of  sin.  The  world  and 
all  its  vanities,  like  the  retiring  tide,  recede  from  the 
heart ;  whilst  the  joys  of  God's  salvation  flow  in,  and 
fill  the  soul  with  substantial  and  satisfying  delights. 

The  sinner  made  thus  wise  unto  salvation  by  the  eter- 
nal Spirit,  finds  the  way  of  peace,  and  becomes  at  length 
•—what  worldlings  can  never  be — truly  happy. 

Oh  blessed  Jesus  !  thou  in  whom  are  hid  all  the  trea- 
sures of  wisdom  and  knowledge,  make  me  wise  unto 


KNOWLEDGE    AND    WISDOM.  193 

salvation.  Preserve  me  from  being  satisfied  with  the 
false  glare  of  human  knowledge,  which  possesses  only 
the  name,  but  nothing  of  the  qualities  of  wisdom. 

Come,  Oh  divine  Redeemer,  with  all  thy  full  salva- 
tion, into  my  longing  heart.  Without  thee,  I  cannot  be 
happy;  with  thee,  I  cannot  be  miserable.  The  world 
may  smile ;  but  if  thou  frownest,  I  must  be  wretched. 
The  world  may  frown  ;  but  if  thou  smilest,  1  am  blessed. 
Let  me  no  longer  seek  my  comforts  from  creatures,  how- 
ever fair  and  excellent.  "All  my  fresh  springs  are  in 
thee."  Be  thou  my  all  in  all,  in  adverse  days  and  plea- 
sant seasons.  Oh  !  let  thy  grace  be  in  me  as  a  well  of 
water,  springing  up  into  everlasting  life.  Then  I  shall 
be  holy  and  happy.  All  will  be  serene  within,  the  sweet 
presage  of  eternal  rest ! 

Touch'd  by  the  power  of  love  divine, 

To  thee,  my  gracious  Lord,  I  come ; 
Thy  Spirit  speaks — I  hear  the  call : 

Dear  Saviour,  make  my  heart  thy  home. 

Too  long,  alas !  a  wand'ring  sheep, 

Far  from  thy  blessed  fold  I  stray'd  ; 
But  now  my  hopes  on  thee  are  fix'd ; 

On  thee  my  grateful  soul  is  staid. 

Thou  art  my  refuge  and  my  rest, 

Sweet  peace  in  thee  I  now  may  find  j 
The  richest  streams  of  heav'nly  grace, 

To  soothe  and  calm  my  troubled  mind. 

Oh!  may  I  never  from  thee  roam ; 

Or  feel  a  single  wish  to  stray ; 
Since  thou  hast  led  my  wand'ring  feet 

To  Christ,  the  true,  the  living  way. 


17 


194         PASSIVE  IMPRESSIONS  AND  ACTIVE  HABITS, 


XXXIV. — ON    PASSIVE    IMPRESSIONS   AND   ACTIVE    HABITS 

It  is  very  important  to  distinguish  rightly  between 
passive  impressions  and  active  habits. 

We  are  continually  liable  to  receive  impressions  of  one 
kind  or  another — impressions  of  love  and  aversion ;  joy 
and  grief ;  hope  and  fear. 

A  pleasing  representation  of  a  person  produces  a  favor- 
able impression  upon  the  mind,  bordering  upon  love. 
How  common  to  hear  it  said,  "  Your  description  makes 
me  quite  love  him ;"  and  yet  this  is  often  but  a  mere 
impression.  The  description  and  the  feeling  are  soon  lost 
in  the  succeeding  objects  which  crowd  upon  the  mind. 

Thus,  many  persons  are  deeply  impressed  by  awful 
representations  of  the  day  of  judgment  and  the  horrors 
of  hell,  who  yet  never  break  off  from  their  sins,  or  turn 
truly  to  God. 

We  often  hear  of  an  impressive  sermon ;  a  sermon 
calculated  deeply  to  affect  the  mind  and  heart  of  the 
congregation.  And  yet,  how  seldom  do  we  hear  of  con- 
versions, which  are  the  consequences  of  abiding  impres- 
sions, producing  active  habits. 

It  is  a  truth,  that  impressions,  if  only  passive,  and 
forming  no  active  habits  in  the  soul,  lose  their  power  by 
repetition. 

Hence  many  persons,  who  were  much  affected  when 
first  they  heard  the  Gospel,  and,  in  consequence,  made 
some  considerable  profession ;  yet,  owing  to  this  impres- 
sion being  simply  passive,  and  not  leading  to  the  forma- 
tion of  gracious  habits  in  the  soul,  have  become,  by 
degrees,  so  Gospel-hardened,  that  the  sharpest  rebuke, 
as  well  as  the  most  affectionate  entreaty,  has  lost  its 
edge  and  influence  on  their  minds  :  they  hear  as  though 
they  heard  not. 


PASSIVE  IMPRESSIONS  AND  ACTIVE  HABITS.         195 

This  view  of  the  subject  may  lead  us  to  distinguish 
between  what  is  the  operation  of  natural  causes,  and 
what  is  the  operation  of  the  Spirit  of  God. 

Impressions,  however  strong  at  the  time,  if  merely 
the  result  of  lively  description  upon  the  imagination,  will 
soon  wear  away,  as  the  imagination  loses  the  vivid 
coloring  which  fascinated  it;  just  as  the  beautiful  tints 
of  an  evening  sky  gradually  disappear,  as  the  sun  retires 
beneath  the  horizon. 

But  the  impressions  made  on  the  soul  by  the  Spirit  of 
God,  being  of  a  nature  peculiar  to  themselves,  produce 
an  immediate  change  (though  apparently  small  at  first) 
on  the  views  and  feelings  of  the  person  affected;  which, 
deepening  by  repetition,  form  those  active  habits  that 
give  a  new  character  to  the  whole  man. 

Hatred  of  sin ;  a  holy  fear  of  God ;  love  to  the  Sa- 
viour; joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost;  delight  in  holiness; 
patience  under  suffering ;  and  deadness  to  the  world, 
are  the  result  of  those  saving,  quickening  impressions, 
which  are  made  on  the  heart  by  the  almighty  energy 
of  the  Divine  Spirit. 

When  this  is  the  case,  the  same  subjects  which  at  first 
impressed,  continue  to  impress.  The  habits  of  the  soul 
become  more  active  and  holy.  Faith  waxes  stronger ; 
love  abounds  yet  more  and  more ;  hope  becomes  more 
lively ;  and  obedience  in  heart  and  life  more  regular  and 
delightful. 

But  the  same  subjects  are  heard  with  complete  indif- 
ference after  a  time,  when  the  impressions  are  passive, 
and  occasioned  by  the  simple  effect  of  natural  eloquence 
on  the  mind. 

This  proves  that  no  oratory,  however  fascinating,  can 
truly  reach  the  heart,  or  produce  gracious  habits  in  the 
soul,  if  unaccompanied  by  a  divine  power. 

The  understanding  may  be  convinced,  the  conscience 


196  PASSIVE  IMPRESSIONS  AND  ACTIVE  HABITS. 

may  tremble;  but  the  affections  can  never  be  firmly  fixed 
upon  God,  through  the  power  of  human  eloquence,  or 
the  arts  of  moral  suasion. 

li  A  new  heart  will  I  give  you,  and  a  new  spirit  will 
I  put  within  you,"  is  both  the  promise  and  work  of 
almighty  love.  Popular  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  who 
gather  crowds  of  admiring  auditors  around  them,  may 
learn  from  this  subject  both  humility  and  dependance. 

No  eloquence  of  language,  no  force  of  expression,  no 
pathetic  appeals  to  the  passions,  can  produce  one  saving 
impression  upon  that  adamant  which  lies  within  the 
human  breast.  He  who  commanded  Moses  to  strike 
the  rock,  must  graciously  accompany  the  stroke  with 
his  supernatural  power,  or  the  waters  of  true  contrition 
will  never  flow. 

The  humble  and  comparatively  weak  instrument  may 
from  hence  take  encouragement ;  knowing  that  it  is  not 
by  might,  nor  by  power,  but  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord, 
that  Satan  is  dislodged  from  his  stronghold,  and  the 
sinner  saved. 

The  weakest  instrument  becomes  effective,  in  pro- 
portion to  the  skill  and  power  of  him  who  wields  it. 
Hence,  Infinite  Wisdom  is  pleased,  in  general,  to  em- 
ploy the  weak  things  of  the  world,  to  confound  the 
things  that  are  mighty,  that  no  flesh  may  glory  in  his 
presence. 

Instances  not  unfrequently  occur,  in  the  experience  of 
faithful  ministers,  of  sermons,  which  they  had  rejected 
for  their  supposed  want  of  good  style  and  arrangement, 
but  which  they  afterwards  preached,  for  want  of  ti  me  to 
write  better,  being  made  the  blessed  instruments  of  fast- 
ening conviction  on  the  conscience,  and  leading  the 
sinner  to  the  cross  of  Christ ;  whilst  many  an  elaborate 
discourse,  on  which  they  had  bestowed  hours  of  thought, 
and  from  which  they  expected  great  results,  produced  no 


PASSIVE  IMPRESSIONS  AND  ACTIVE  HABITS.         197 

other  effect  than  that  of  drawing  forth  nattering  com- 
mendation or  critical  remarks. 

We  are  taught  in  the  word  of  God  not  to  despise  the 
day  of  small  things,  nor  to  lean  unto  our  own  under- 
standing, nor  trust  to  an  arm  of  flesh.  Those  holy 
precepts  operated  powerfully  on  the  mind  and  practice 
of  the  great  apostle  to  the  gentiles.  "  I  came  not,"  said 
he  to  the  Corinthians,  "with  excellency  of  speech  or  of 
wisdom,  declaring  unto  you  the  testimony  of  God ;  for 
I  determined  not  to  know  any  thing  among  you,  save 
Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified.  My  speech  and  my 
preaching  was  not  with  enticing  words  of  man's  wisdom, 
but  in  demonstration  of  the  Spirit  and  of  power  :  that 
your  faith  should  not  stand  in  the  wisdom  of  men,  but  in. 
the  power  of  God  /" 

And  again,  to  the  Thessalonians  he  writes,  "As  we 
were  allowed  of  God  to  be  put  in  trust  with  the  Gospel, 
even  so  we  speak,  not  as  pleasing  men,  but  God  which 
trieth  our  hearts  ;  for  neither  at  any  time  used  we  flat- 
tering  icords,  as  ye  know,  nor  a  cloak  of  covetousness, 
God  is  witness." 

And  whilst  declaring  that  the  Gospel  came  not  unto 
them  in  word  only,  but  also  in  power  and  in  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  in  much  assurance,  he  rejoiced  that  they 
received  the  word,  which  they  heard  of  him,  not  as  the 
word  of  men,  but  as  it  is  in  truth,  the  word  of  God,  which 
effectually  worketh  in  them  that  believe. 

Thus  I  am  taught,  that  whilst  the  ambassadors  of 
Christ  are  willing  to  spend  and  be  spent  in  the  blessed 
work  of  proclaiming  the  Gospel  of  peace;  it  is  God  alone 
who  can  give  efficacy  to  the  word  of  his  grace,  according 
to  the  purpose  of  his  own  will;  for  his  counsel  shall 
stand,  and  he  will  do  all  his  pleasure. 

Let  me  then  learn  to  cease  from  man.  May  all  my 
expectations  be  from  God,  whose  power  can  change  the- 


198  PASSIVE  IMPRESSIONS  AND  ACTIVE  HABITS. 

heart,  and  who  can  form  a  people  unto  himself,  who  shall 
show  forth  his  praise. 

Lord,  preserve  me  from  transient  feelings  and  momen- 
tary impressions.  Give  me  a  deep  and  an  abiding  con- 
viction of  the  evil  of  sin ;  a  growing  love  for  the  blessed 
Saviour;  and  an  increasing  relish  for  holy  duties.  May 
I  be  rooted  and  grounded  in  love ;  stablished  and  built 
up  in  Christ:  and  thus  enabled  to  hold  the  beginning 
of  my  confidence  steadfast  unto  the  end. 

The  habitual  frame  of  my  heart,  and  the  daily  tenor 
of  my  life,  will  then  prove  the  genuineness  of  my  faith, 
and  keep  me,  through  the  power  of  the  indwelling  Spirit, 
from  those  awful  falls,  which  bring  such  misery  on  false 
professors,  and  cause  so  many  to  stumble,  and  forsake 
the  right  way  of  the  Lord. 

Give  me,  Oh  Lord,  that  holy  fear, 

That  jonstant  dread  of  sin  ; 
The  brightest  evidence  of  grace, 

Of  light  and  love  within. 

Guide  me  along  the  narrow  way, 

Conduct  me  by  thy  grace 
To  Jesus,  my  almighty  friend, 

The  sinner's  h:  ^ing-place. 

Oh !  for  a  seraph's  tongue  to  speak 

The  praises  of  my  God ; 
Lord,  fit  my  heart  to  sing  thy  praise 

In  heaven,  thy  blest  abode. 

Till  then,  I  would  in  lisping  notes 

C  haunt  forth  thy  matchless  love  j 
Adore  thee  in  the  church  below, 

Th?n  join  the  church  above. 


UNION    TO    CHRIST.  199 


XXXV. ON    UNION    TO    CHRIST. 

How  beautiful  is  our  Saviour's  parable  of  the  vine !  It 
illustrates  in  the  most  convincing  manner  this  great 
truth,  that  "he  who  hath  the  Son,  hath  life;  and  he 
who  hath  not  the  Son  of  God,  hath  not  life." 

We  have  in  this  parable  a  striking  view  of  the  true 
Church  of  Christ.  It  grows  out  of  Jesus  the  true  vine; 
hangs  upon  him;  and  derives  all  its  nourishment  and 
fruitfulness  from  him,  just  as  the  branches  do  from  the 
parent  stem. 

Till  the  soul  be  united  to  Christ  by  faith,  it  cannot 
produce  one  fruit  of  the  Spirit;  any  more  than  a  branch 
can  bear  fruit  of  itself,  when  severed  from  the  vine. 

A  soul  out  of  Christ,  and  a  branch  cut  off  from  the 
parent  stem,  must  be  alike  barren  and  withered. 

Hence  it  is  evident,  that  before  the  great  act  of  justi- 
fication by  faith,  that  spiritual  ingrafting  of  the  soul  into 
Christ,  there  can  be  no  holy  fruits  in  the  heart  or  life. 
By  this  gracious  operation  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  the  sinner 
becomes  a  living  branch  in  the  true  vine;  a  part  of 
Christ's  mystical  body,  and  immediately  receives  spirit- 
ual nourishment  and  strength;  for  "without  me,"  saith 
Christ,  "  ye  can  do  nothing." 

But  we  read  of  barren  branches  in  him,  which  are 
taken  away.  These  are  nominal  professors  of  the  Gos- 
pel, which  abound  in  the  visible  church.  They  become 
members  of  the  outward  church,  by  the  ordinance  of 
baptism;  but  being  destitute  of  true  faith,  they  yield 
none  of  the  fruits  of  righteousness  to  the  glory  of  God. 
These  characters  form  the  great  bulk  of  the  people  in 
nations  denominated  Christian. 

They  may  be  called  branches  in  Christ,  considering 
the  church  in  its  present  condition,  as  represented  by 


200  UNION    TO    CHRIST. 

fruitful  and  barren  branches,  by  wheat  and  tares,  by  good, 
and  bad  fishes,  by  wise  and  foolish  virgins,  in  the  seve- 
ral parables  of  our  blessed  Lord.  These  barren  branches 
easily  fall  off  in  time  of  temptation.  Being  only  at- 
tached to  Christ  by  the  slender  thread  of  an  outward 
profession,  they  are  soon  blown  away  by  the  stormy 
winds  of  persecution.  Like  Demas,  they  forsake  Christ, 
either  through  the  fear  of  man,  or  the  love  of  this  present 
evil  world. 

But  what  says  our  blessed  Lord?  "Every  branch  in 
me,  that  beareth  not  fruit,  he  taketh  away."  The 
Almighty  Husbandman  at  length  cuts  them  off  in  his 
providence,  by  the  hand  of  death.  But,  ah!  where  are 
they  cast?  "  Into  the  fire  of  hell,  to  be  burned!" 

Oh !  how  should  this  awaken  all  my  fears  and  appre- 
hensions, lest  I  should  be  found  at  the  last  to  have  been 
only  a  barren  branch :  full  indeed  of  the  leaves  of  pro- 
fession, and  the  worthless  fruit  of  head-knowledge  and 
party  zeal ;  but  destitute  of  those  heavenly  graces  of 
humility,  love,  and  purity,  which  prove  the  reality  of  a 
union  to  Jesus. 

"  Every  branch  in  me,"  said  our  divine  Saviour,  "  that 
beareth  fruit,  he  purgeth  it,  that  it  may  bear  more 
fruit."  Thus,  the  pruning-knife  of  affliction  is  applied 
to  the  true  branches,  to  cut  off  all  their  exuberances, 
and  to  render  them  more  abundant  in  the  fruits  of 
holiness. 

Hence  it  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  the  very  trials 
which  take  away  the  unfruitful  branches,  do,  by  a  skilful 
operation  of  spiritual  husbandry,  promote  the  fertility  of 
those  branches  which  derive  their  nourishment  by  a  vital 
union  to  the  parent  stem. 

This  blessedness  is  closely  connected  with  perseve- 
rance. "Abide  in  me,  and  I  in  you."  There  must 
be  a  constant  abiding  in  Christ,  till  the  hour  of  death; 


UNION    TO    CHRIST.  201 

otherwise  there  can  be  no  perpetuity  of  fruitfulness.  Let 
a  branch  be  in  the  vine  for  a  hundred  years,  and  every 
year  be  loaden  with  fruit,  yet  if  it  be  severed  at  the  last, 
it  must  wither  and  die. 

So  our  union  to  Christ  must  be  perpetucJ.  Being 
once  in  him,  we  must  abide  in  him,  or  all  our  fruitfulness 
will  be  at  an  end.  "  He  that  abideth  in  me,  and  I  in 
him,  the  same  bringeth  forth  much  fruit;  for  without  me, 
(or  severed  from  me,)  ye  can  do  nothing." 

How  careful,  then,  I  ought  to  be,  lest  I  am  deceiving 
myself  with  mere  temporary  feelings  and  impressions. 
Nothing  will  abide  but  true  faith.  Nothing  but  grace 
can  endure  unto  the  end.  What  sweet  privileges  are 
connected  with  this  union  and  this  fruitfulness. 

"Herein  is  my  father  glorified,  that  ye  bear  much 
fruit."  Thus  the  more  fruit  we  bear,  the  more  God  is 
glorified.     What  wonderful  condescension  ! 

"  So  shall  ye  be  my  disciples."  This  fruitfulness 
proves  us  to  be  the  genuine  disciples  of  the  Lord 
Jesus. 

"Ye  shall  ask  what  ye  will,  and  it  shall  be  done  unto 
you."  Our  prayers  will  then  be  graciously  heard  and 
answered. 

"  As  the  father  hath  loved  me,  so  have  I  loved  you." 
Thus,  if  fruitful  believers,  we  shall  through  eternity 
enjoy  the  Saviour's  constant  love. 

These  beautiful  sayings  of  Jesus  are  closed  by  an  ex- 
hortation to  perseverance  ;  "  Continue  ye  in  my  love." 

Thus  Christ  is  all  and  in  all  to  his  believing  people. 
He  is  the  true  vine,  from  whom  proceeds  all  the  grace, 
which,  flowing  through  the  branches,  produces  fertility 
and  beauty.  He  is  also  the  sun  of  righteousness,  whose 
bright  and  fostering  beams  cause  the  trees  of  righteous- 
ness to  abound  in  fruitfulness. 

Every  image  is  thus  used  by  the  divine  Spirit,  when 


202  UNION    TO    CHRIST. 

guiding  the  pen  of  inspiration,  to  set  forth  the  all-suffi- 
ciency both  of  the  power  and  grace  of  Jesus. 

As  there  is  no  spiritual  life  separate  from  him,  so 
without  him  there  is  no  blessedness  in  time  or  eternity. 
In  him  "  are  hid  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  know- 
ledge." In  him  "  dwelleth  the  fulness  of  the  godhead 
bodily."  Are  any  chosen  unto  salvation  1  "  They  are 
chosen  in  him  before  the  foundation  of  the  world,  that 
they  should  be  holy  and  without  blame  before  him  in 
love."  Are  any  adopted  into  the  family  of  God  1  It  is 
"  by  Jesus  Christ,  according  to  the  good  pleasure  of  his 
will."  Do  any  receive  pardon  1  It  is  "  through  his 
blood,  according  to  the  riches  of  his  grace." 

How  great,  then,  is  the  love  of  God,  in  thus  giving  his 
well-beloved  Son  to  die  for  us :  that  through  his  precious 
death  upon  the  cross,  he  might  save  us  from  sin  and 
hell. 

But,  Oh  my  soul,  how  great  soever  the  love  of  God  to 
perishing  sinners  may  be — how  rich  soever  the  promises 
of  mercy — how  glorious  soever  the  inheritance  of  the 
saints;  what  will  all  this  avail,  if  thou  art  destitute  of 
that  faith,  without  which  it  is  impossible  to  please  God; 
and  of  that  holiness,  without  which  no  man  shall  see 
the  Lord  ] 

I  would  ask  myself,  with  all  seriousness,  as  in  the 
presence  of  that  God,  who  searcheth  the  heart  and  trieth 
the  reins ;  have  I  received  the  Lord  Jesus  into  my  heart 
by  an  humble  loving  faith  1 

His  name  is  as  ointment  poured  forth,  healing  the 
wounded  conscience,  and  shedding  a  rich  fragrance 
through  the  soul.  But  have  I  felt  the  deadly  wound 
which  sin  has  made  ] 

Have  I  with  joy  received  the  atonement,  and  thus 
obtained  peace  through  believing  1 

I  may  have  a  knowledge  of  the  way  of  salvation,  but 


UNION    TO    CHRIST.  203 

have  I  been  brought  into  this  way  by  the  Spirit  of  truth, 
and  am  I  walking  therein  by  faith  1 

Do  I  now  experience  the  power  of  the  cross,  in  the  cru- 
cifixion of  my  lusts,  and  the  mortification  of  every  sinful 
desire  ? 

Do  I  know  Christ  in  the  power  of  his  resurrection;  being 
raised  from  a  death  in  sin,  to  a  life  of  righteousness  ? 

"  As  many  as  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  they  are 
the  sons  of  God."  Am  I  daily  led  by  the  Spirit,  through 
the  light  of  the  revealed  word,  into  a  saving  acquaint- 
ance with  Jesus  Christ,  as  my  wisdom,  righteousness, 
sanctification,  and  redemption  ? 

"  If  any  man  be  in  Christ,  he  is  a  new  creature." 
Have  I  experienced  a  spiritual  change  in  my  under- 
standing, will,  and  affections  1  Are  my  views,  purposes, 
motives,  desires,  inclinations,  and  pursuits  quite  different 
from  what  they  once  were?  Can  it  be  said,  in  the  strong 
language  of  Scripture,  that  "/  am  born  again?"  Is  the 
change  visible  to  others  1    Is  it  felt  by  myself? 

Am  I  devoted  to  the  service  of  God,  ardent  in  my  love 
to  the  Saviour,  and  anxious  for  the  happiness  of  all 
around  me  ?  Are  my  religious  views  and  feelings  thus 
influential,  pervading,  like  the  hidden  sap,  all  the 
branches  of  personal  and  relative  duties  1 

The  doctrines  of  the  Gospel  are  practical  in  their  ten- 
dency. They  at  once  humble  and  elevate.  Like  rays 
emanating  from  the  sun,  they  enlighten,  warm,  cheer, 
and  fructify.  Shine,  then,  blessed  Saviour,  with  thy 
bright  beams  of  grace  into  my  heart.  Preserve  me  from 
every  thing  that  is  false  and  insincere.  Let  thy  work 
be  deep  and  abiding. 

Nothing  can  uphold  me  but  thy  sustaining  grace. 
Without  thee,  I  am  like  the  chaff  before  the  wind ;  like 
a  withered  branch,  ready  to  be  carried  away  by  every 
blast. 


204  CHRISTIAN    CHARACTER. 

Abide  in  me,  blessed  Lord,  that  I  may  abide  in  ihee. 
Unite  me  to  thyself,  and  never  leave  me  nor  forsake  me ; 
then  shall  I  praise  thee  with  unceasing  hallelujahs, 
when  my  happy  spirit  shall  be  transplanted  to  the  Para- 
dise above, 

Jerus,  thou  true  and  living  vine, 

Uni'e  my  soul  to  thee ; 
Oh !  let  my  barren,  wither'd  heart, 

A  fruitful  scion  be. 

Too  long,  alas !  my  guilty  soul 

A  fruitless  branch  hath  been  j 
Fit  fuel  for  th'  eternal  fire, 

The  slave  of  lust  and  sin. 

Oh !  may  I  now,  through  sov'reign  grace, 

This  blessed  union  know, 
From  whence  all  peace,  and  pardon  too, 

And  endless  glories  grow. 

Grafted  by  faith,  my  joyful  heart 

Shall  be  for  ever  thine ; 
While  clust'ring  fruits  of  heavenly  growth 

Will  prove  the  work  divine. 

Come,  Holy  Ghost,  thou  Lord  of  life, 

Make  all  these  blessings  mine ; 
Make  me  a  fruitful  living  branch 

In  Christ,  the  living  vine. 


XXXVI. — ON  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHARACTER. 

The  beatitudes  with  which  our  Lord  begins  his  ser- 
mon on  the  mount  most  strikingly  show  what  is  the 
inward  state  and  outward  conduct  of  true  believers,  as 
well  as  the  general  reception  which  such  characters 
meet  with  from  the  world. 


CHRISTIAN    CHARACTER.  20S 

Their  inward  state  is  described  by  poverty  of  spirit, 
mourning  for  sin,  hungering  and  thirsting  after  right- 
eousness  and  purity  of  heart. 

Their  outward  conduct,  by  meekness,  mercifulness, 
and  peaceableness. 

Their  general  reception  from  an  unbelieving  world  is 
declared  to  be  persecution,  reviling,  and  slander. 

The  promises  made  to  the  various  branches  of  the 
Christian  character  are  most  encouraging. 

The  poor  in  spirit,  who  are  humble  on  account  of  sin, 
who  are  emptied  of  all  self-righteousness,  and  who  feel 
their  constant  need  of  Jesus,  are  made  the  happy  par- 
takers of  every  Gospel  blessing.  Receiving  Christ  into 
their  hearts  by  faith,  they  daily  grow  in  grace,  and  in  a 
meetness  for  the  heavenly  inheritance. 

The  Saviour  comforts  these  mourners  in  Zion,  binds 
up  their  broken  hearts,  and  gives  them  beauty  for  ashes, 
the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  and  the  garment  cf  praise 
for  the  spirit  of  heaviness.  While  hungering  and  thirst- 
ing after  righteousness,  the  good  Shepherd  leads  them 
into  green  pastures,  and  nourishes  their  souls  unto  eter- 
nal life.  They  receive  the  desire  of  their  hearts,  even 
the  presence  and  image  of  God  in  their  souls. 

Being  justified  by  faith,  they  are  accepted  in  the 
beloved ;  and,  being  made  the  temples  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  they  become  vessels  unto  honor,  sanctified  for  the 
master's  use. 

Sincerity  and  uprightness  mark  their  character.  Pu- 
rity of  intention,  a  hatred  of  sin,  and  a  love  of  holiness, 
flowing  from  that  faith  which  purifies  the  heart,  prepare 
thern  for  present  manifestations  of  God  in  Christ,  as 
revealed  in  the  Gospel,  and  for  brighter  visions  of  his 
glory  in  the  world  to  come. 

With  these  internal  principles  and  affections,  they 
show  forth,  by  their  daily  walk  and  conversation,  the 

18 


206  CHRISTIAN    CHARACTER. 

praises  of  him  who  hath  called  them  out  of  darkness  into 
marvellous  light. 

They  are  meek  in  their  words  and  actions.  The  law 
of  kindness  dwells  upon  their  tongue.  They  are  long- 
suffering  ;  forbearing  one  another  in  love. 

Thus  they  avoid  many  troubles  which  those  endure 
whose  spirits  are  violent,  and  whose  actions  are  unkind. 

They  glide  along  the  stream  of  life  upon  the  still  wa- 
ters of  meekness  and  gentleness,  whilst  the  contentious 
and  irascible  are  ever  struggling  with  the  rough  surges 
of  their  own  creating.  Being  firm  in  purpose,  as  well  as 
mild  in  spirit,  they  cannot  always  escape  the  storm ;  but 
whilst  they  "  earnestly  contend  for  the  faith  once  deliv- 
ered to  the  saints,"  when  duty  calls  them  so  to  do,  they 
labor  to  possess  their  souls  in  patience,"  and  strive  "in 
meekness  to  instruct  those  who  oppose  themselves." 
When  they  are  reviled,  they  revile  not  again ;  when  they 
suffer,  they  threaten  not :  but,  committing  themselves 
unto  him  who  judgeth  righteously,  and  who  will  one 
day  vindicate  the  cause  of  his  people,  they  are  kept  "  in 
perfect  peace,"  and,  in  the  truest  sense  of  the  promise, 
"  inherit  the  earth." 

They  are  merciful,  when  opportunities  offer  for  the  ex- 
ercise of  mercy,  whether  it  be  in  acts  of  forgiveness  or 
benevolence.  Like  their  heavenly  Father,  they  delight 
in  mercy. 

Having  much  forgiven,  they  are  ready  to  forgive 
much ;  considering  that  the  greatest  possible  injury 
done  to  themselves,  when  compared  with  their  offences 
against  God,  is  but  like  the  hundred  pence  to  the  ten 
thousand  talents.  They  pray  for  grace  to  resemble  their 
beneficent  Creator,  who  maketh  his  sun  to  arise  on  the 
evil  and  on  the  good,  and  who  causeth  his  rain  to  de- 
scend on  the  just  and  on  the  unjust. 

They  love  to  do  good  unto  all  men,  especially  to  them 


CHRISTIAN    CHARACTER.  207 

who  are  of  the  household  of  faith ;  remembering  that 
Gospel  precept,  "  Be  not  overcome  of  evil,  but  overcome 
evil  with  good." 

They  love  peace ;  and  study,  as  far  as  is  consistent  with 
the  truth  of  the  Gospel  and  a  good  conscience,  to  live 
peaceably  with  all  men. 

They  delight  in  pouring  the  balm  of  consolation  into 
the  troubled  breast,  and  in  smoothing  the  asperities  of 
angry  feeling,  wherever  their  influence  extends. 

These  are  the  lineaments  of  that  beautiful  character 
which  is  formed  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  called  by  our 
blessed  Saviour  "  the  salt  of  the  earth,"  and  "  the  light 
of  the  world ;"  preserving  it  from  universal  corruption 
and  total  darkness. 

This  character  is  the  great  preparative  for  the  enjoy- 
ment of  heavenly  glory  ;  and  yet,  though  beloved  of 
God,  this  is  the  character  which  is  despised,  persecuted, 
reviled,  and  slandered  by  an  unbelieving  world. 

No  real  Christian,  bearing  this  exalted  character,  need 
droop  or  despond ;  for  he  is  assured  by  eternal  truth 
itself,  that  great  shall  be  his  reward  in  heaven. 

But  is  this  the  character  of  all  the  Lord's  people,  with- 
out exception  ?  It  is.  All  do  not,  indeed,  attain  to  the 
same  degree  of  holy  conformity  to  Jesus,  but  all  must 
and  do  bear  this  divine  image  ;  since  it  is  expressly 
said,  "  If  any  man  have  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  he  is 
none  of  his."  All  true  believers  possess  these  inward 
principles  of  holiness — all  have  these  outward  marks  of 
true  discipleship — all  have  to  encounter  the  world's 
derision  ;  though,  like  the  good  seed  in  the  parable, 
there  may  be  in  some  thirty,  in  some  sixty,  and  in  some 
a  hundred  fold. 

Let  none  of  the  children  of  God,  then,  startle  at  the 
sight  of  the  cross;  for,  "all  that  will  live  godly  in  Christ 
Jesus  shall  suffer  persecution."    Rather  let  them  rejoice, 


208  CHRISTIAN    CHARACTER. 

since  it  is  recorded  by  the  pen  of  inspiration,  "  if  we  be 
dead  with  him,  we  shall  also  live  with  him ;  if  we  suffer, 
we  shall  also  reign  with  him." 

Happy,  indeed,  are  they  who  most  resemble  the  Sa- 
viour, and  suffer  the  most  cheerfully  for  his  sake.  I 
learn  from  these  beatitudes,  that  all  the  graces  which 
our  divine  Redeemer  pronounces  blessed,  meet,  like  the 
radii  of  a  circle,  in  one  common  centre — the  heart  of  the 
true  believer. 

These  graces  do  not  form  so  many  distinct  characters, 
but  unitedly  they  form  one  character — the  child  of  God. 
Some  of  God's  children  have  shone  brighter  in  one  grace, 
and  some  in  another ;  but  each  possesses  the  whole. 

Abraham  is  exhibited  to  us  as  a  pattern  for  faith ;  Job, 
for  patience  ;  Joseph,  for  purity  ;  Moses,  for  meekness  ; 
Samuel,  for  integrity ;  David,  for  contrition  and  spirit- 
ual-mindedness  ;  Daniel,  for  devotion  ;  Peter,  for  zeal ; 
John,  for  tenderness ;  Paul,  for  contempt  of  the  world, 
and  delight  in  the  cross :  yet  all  were  filled  with  love  ; 
all  were  clothed  with  humility  ;  for  humility  and  love 
are  the  characteristic  features  of  genuine  excellence. 

The  angels  are  humble  ;  as  standing  before  the  throne 
of  God,  they  veil  their  faces  with  their  wings. 

The  glorified  saints  are  humble  ;  when  high  in  bliss, 
they  cast  their  crowns  at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  exclaiming, 
"  Worthy  is  the  Lamb." 

But,  Oh  amazing  thought !  even  the  great  Jehovah, 
who  humbles  himself  to  behold  the  things  that  are  in 
heaven  and  earth,  condescended  to  empty  himself  of  all 
but  love,  and,  in  infinite  compassion,  to  take  upon  him 
the  nature  of  man,  and  to  bleed  upon  the  accursed  tree  ! 

And  for  whom  did  he  die  1  For  his  rebellious  crea- 
tures, whom  he  could  in  a  moment  have  annihilated, 
and  whose  place  he  could  have  supplied  by  myriads  of 
holy  beings, 


CHRISTIAN    CHARACTER.  209 

This  almighty  Saviour,  who  inhabiteth  eternity,  even 
now  condescends  to  dwell  in  the  humble  and  contrite 
heart,  to  revive  the  spirit  of  the  humble,  and  to  revive 
the  heart  of  the  contrite  ones.  Oh  for  faith  to  contem- 
plate this  great  sight !  Oh  for  a  heart  to  feel  the  power 
of  this  grace,  and  to  taste  the  sweetness  of  this  redeem- 
ing love  !  Lord  !  come  with  all  thy  full  salvation  to  my 
soul,  that  all  my  powers  may  be  wholly  consecrated  unto 
thee. 

Here  I  behold  humility  exhibited  in  its  divinest  form. 
Shall  we,  then,  boast  of  our  humility,  and  extol  the  lowly 
bendings  of  a  sinful  worm  ? 

Ah  !  how  little  do  our  most  abased  feelings  deserve 
the  name  of  humility,  when  contrasted  with  the  incon- 
ceivable abasement  of  the  Eternal  Word,  when  he  was 
made  flesh  and  dwelt  amongst  us  ! 

Look  and  gaze,  Oh  my  soul,  on  thy  condescending 
Saviour,  till  thou  art  laid  prostrate  in  the  dust  of  humili- 
ation at  the  foot  of  the  cross  ;  and  there  drink  deep  into 
that  spirit  which  will  assimilate  thee  to  the  Friend  of 
sinners,  and  prepare  thee  for  the  bliss  of  heaven. 

Oh  how  should  I  loathe  myself!  He,  so  humble;  and 
I,  so  proud :   He,  so  pure  ;  and  I,  so  polluted  ! 

The  thirsty  traveller  sees  a  cistern  at  a  distance,  and 
labors  hard  to  reach  it ;  but  when  he  comes  with  longing 
desire  to  quench  his  thirst,  he  finds  it  broken.  Thus 
earth  disappoints  all  who  trust  in  its  supplies.  It  is  a 
broken  cistern.  I  look  for  its  refreshing  streams,  but  find 
none.  Where,  then,  must  I  turn  1  To  the  Fountain  of 
living  waters.  Jesus  is  this  fountain  of  life  and  glory. 
To  him  I  would  nowr  hasten.  In  him  I  shall  ever  find  a 
never-failing  stream  of  grace  and  comfort.  He  can 
delight  and  refresh  my  soul ;  and,  coming  unto  him  by 
faith,  I  shall  never  be  disappointed. 

From  these  considerations  I  learn,  that  to  seek  first  the 
18* 


210  CHRISTIAN    CHARACTER. 

kingdom  of  God  and  his  righteousness  is  the  highest 
wisdom  of  man ;  for,  whilst  so  doing,  all  other  needful 
things  shall  be  added  unto  me.  I  also  learn,  that  Jesua 
has  made  an  inseparable  connexion  between  the  precepts 
and  promises  of  the  Gospel,  between  the  character  and 
the  privileges  of  his  people. 

If  I  am  renewed  in  the  spirit  of  my  mind,  and  thus 
made  humble,  contrite,  meek,  spiritually-minded,  pu^, 
nnd  peaceable,  I  shall  enjoy  his  presence  and  love  whilst 
journeying  through  this  vale  of  tears,  and  his  everlasting 
glory  in  the  world  above. 

Then  why  should  the  souls  of  the  faithful  be  "  dis- 
couraged because  of  the  way,"  seeing  that  the  way  of 
the  cross  is  the  way  to  the  crown  ] 

The  world  may  light  up  its  fires  ;  friends  may  betray 
us  to  death ;  Satan  may  roar  like  a  lion ;  the  flesh  may 
cry  out  for  indulgence,  and  tempt  us  to  yield  to  our  foes : 
yet,  if  Jesus  be  the  God  of  our  hearts,  he  will  raise  us 
above  every  temptation  ;  he  will  strengthen  us  for  every 
assault;  and,  at  length,  make  us  more  than  conquerors, 
to  the  praise  and  glory  of  his  grace. 

Oh !  love  without  compare, 

Oh  !  love  beyond  degree  ; 
That  he,  whom  cherubim  adore, 

Should  bleed  and  die  for  me  ! 

For  me,  a  wretch  so  vile, 

For  me,  a  rebel  worm, 
Has  love  its  sacred  power  display'd, 

In  its  divinest  form. 

'Tis  Jesus  died  to  save, 

'Tis  Jesus  lives  to  bless  ; 
On  high  he  dwells — the  sinner's  friend, 

The  Lord,  our  righteousness. 
Then,  Oh  my  soul,  rejoice, 

Extol  thy  Saviour's  name ; 
Make  mention  of  his  dying  love, 

And  celebrate  his  fame. 


CHRISTIAN    MOTIVES.  211 

He  claims  thy  heart,  thy  love ; 

He  claims  thee  for  his  own  ; 
Oh  cast  thyself  in  willing  bonds 

Before  liis  heavenly  throne. 


XXXVII. ON    CHRISTIAN    MOTIVES. 

Christianity  has  justly  been  called  a  religion  of  mo- 
tives; and  yet,  alas  !  how  little  are  those  sublime  motives 
to  action,  which  the  Gospel  inspires,  considered  by  the 
great  mass  of  professing  Christians  ! 

Men  prosecute  their  wordly  concerns  under  the  power- 
ful influence  of  some  constraining  motive,  which  impels 
them  forward  with  unabating  ardor.  But  in  the  affairs 
of  eternity,  they  commonly  act  at  random,  without  any 
fixed  purpose  whatsoever. 

Education,  or  custom,  gives  the  coloring  to  their  reli- 
gion ;  and  if  they  be  asked  to  give  a  reason  of  the  hope 
that  is  in  them,  a  total  absence  of  motive  or  purpose  will 
soon  be  discovered. 

They  think  as  the  world  thinks — and  they  act  as  the 
world  acts.  Treading  in  the  steps  of  their  forefathers, 
they  retain  the  impression  of  early  habits.  And  finding 
little  leisure  amidst  the  accumulating  engagements  of 
life,  to  investigate  the  claims  of  eternity,  they  are  satis- 
fied with  the  observance  of  outward  ordinances,  and  a 
few  crude  notions  of  the  Christian  religion. 

They  pity  those  who  are  so  weak  as  to  prefer  future 
to  present  enjoyments  ;  and  can  scarcely  conceive  any 
rational  motive  sufficiently  powerful  to  induce  men  to 
pass  by  the  flattering  prospects  of  the  world,  for  the  un- 
seen possessions  of  futurity. 

Hence  they  condemn  such  persons  as  visionary  and 


212  CHRISTIAN  MOTIVES. 

enthusiastic  ;  whilst  they  applaud  the  wisdom  of  those, 
who  endeavor  to  make  sure  of  present  profit  and  advan- 
tage. To  secure  the  main  chance,  is  their  standard  of 
wisdom  ;   their  highest  object  of  pursuit. 

This,  we  may  fear,  is  but  too  faithful  a  picture  of 
thousands  who  call  themselves  Christians ;  but  who 
possess  nothing  beyond  the  name.  Esteeming  them- 
selves wise,  they  become  fools  ;  and  will,  except  they 
repent,  eternally  bewail  their  folly. 

It  is  of  immense  importance  to  examine  well  into  the 
motives  of  our  actions,  for  "whatever  is  not  of  faith, 
is  sin." 

Saul  of  Tarsus  in  his  blind  zeal  conceived  that  he  ought 
to  do  many  things  contrary  to  the  name  of  Jesus  of  Naza- 
reth :  but  when  his  understanding  was  enlightened,  he 
saw  himself  to  have  been  a  persecutor,  a  blasphemer, 
and  injurious. 

When  Abraham  went  to  offer  up  his  beloved  Isaac,  it 
was  an  eminent  instance  of  faith.  He  acted  on  this 
trying  occasion  from  a  good  motive  ;  in  simple  compli- 
ance with  a  divine  command,  though  an  apparent  frus- 
tration of  a  divine  promise.  Yet  he  believed  God,  and 
cheerfully  obeyed  his  will. 

This  childlike  reliance  on  the  truth  and  faithfulness 
of  Jehovah,  was  honored  by  a  rich  promise  of  abundant 
blessings.  But  when  the  Israelites,  on  the  contrary, 
caused  their  children  to  pass  through  the  fire  to  Moloch, 
it  was  an  awful  instance  of  human  depravity.  Their 
conduct  sprang  from  a  bad  motive,  being  in  direct  vio- 
lation of  a  divine  prohibition,  and  was  therefore  quickly 
followed  by  heavy  judgments  upon  the  nation. 

The  command  to  Abraham  was  designed  by  the  Al- 
mighty to  be  a  trial  of  his  faith  ;  a  test  of  his  obedience  ; 
a  proof  of  his  love.  But  more  especially  to  be  a  signal 
representation  of  his  own  unspeakable  love,  in  not  with- 


CHRISTIAN   MOTIVES.  213 

holding  his-  Son — his  well-beloved  Son  from  us.  when 
he  gave  him  to  be  a  sacrifice  for  sin,  on  one  of  those  very 
mountains  of  Slforiak. 

Now,  can  any  one  for  a  moment  suppose  that  these 
two  actions  shall  receive  the  same  recompense  of  re- 
ward? We  shudder  whilst  we  contemplate  the  unna- 
tural infatuation  of  the  idolatrous  Israelites. 

We  feel  humbled  whilst  we  meditate  on  the  astonish- 
ing exercise  of  faith,  obedience,  and  self-denial  which 
was  exhibited  in  the  case  of  Abraham. 

Their  motives  were  as  widely  distant  as  the  east  is 
from  the  west  ;  as  distant  as  holy  faith  is  from  rebellious 
unbelief. 

Boflfrd  actions  are  criminal  in  their  very  nature,  whilst 
others  may  be  good  or  bad  according  to  the  motive  from 
whence  they  spring. 

The  hypocrites,  whom  Jesus  condemns  in  his  sermon 
on  the  mount,  gave  alms,  and  prayed,  and  fasted.  But 
when  they  distributed  their  charities,  they  sounded  a 
trumpet  before  them  :  when  they  prayed,  they  stood  in 
the  synagogues  and  in  the  corners  of  the  streets  ;  when 
fasted,  they  disfigured  their  faces  ;  thus  making 
their  religious  performance  as  public  as  possible. 

And  why  did  they  take  such  pains  to  be  seen  ?  Our 
Lord  tells  us  :  "  that  they  might  have  glory  of  men.'' 
They  obtained  that  which  was  the  governing  mo- 
tive of  their  actions,  and  consequently  they  had  their 
reward. 

Our  blessed  Saviour  exhort?  his  people  to  the  perform- 
ance of  the  same  duties,  but  from  a  far  different  motive. 
Secrecy  in  alms-giving — retirement  in  devotion — and 
unostentatiousness  in  fasting,  are  opposed  to  pharisaical 
publicity. 

Duties,  thus  performed  from  a  principle  of  faith  and 
love,  and  directed  simply  to  the  glory  of  God,  will  be 


214  CHRISTIAN  MOTIVES. 

approved  of  by  Him  who  seeth  in  secret,  and  who  will 
graciously  reward  them  openly. 

We  hear  of  a  man  extolled  for  his  charity  and  bene- 
volence to  the  poor.  His  name  appears  in  the  list  of 
benefactors  to  almost  every  laudable  institution  ;  but  if 
to  be  extolled  be  the  secret  motive  of  his  actions,  this  man 
has  his  reward. 

Another  is  very  regular  in  his  attendance  on  public 
ordinances.  His  seat  is  never  vacant.  He  talks  much 
about  doctrines,  and  seeks  the  society  of  religious  char- 
acters. Hence  he  obtains  the  appellation  of  pious.  If 
to  be  so  esteemed  be  the  moving  spring  of  his  conduct, 
verily  he  has  his  reward. 

All  this  is  equitable.  Those  wTho  act  from  no  higher 
motive  than  human  approbation,  on  receiving  such  com- 
mendation, have  their  coveted  reward. 

They  may  speak  with  the  tongues  of  men  and  of 
angels  ;  they  may  understand  all  mysteries  and  all 
knowledge ;  they  may  bestow  all  their  goods  to  feed  the 
poor ; — yea,  in  a  season  of  fiery  persecution  they  may 
even  give  their  bodies  to  be  burned  :  and  yet,  if  faith 
working  by  love  be  not  their  principle  of  action,  all  these 
splendid  gifts  and  costly  sacrifices  will  profit  them  nothing. 

In  the  day  of  judgment,  they  will  be  found  no  better 
than  sounding  brass  or  a  tinkling  cymbal ;  whilst  the 
widow's  mite,  and  the  cup  of  cold  water  given  to  the 
least  of  the  brethren  of  Jesus,  out  of  love  to  his  name, 
shall  in  no  wise  lose  its  reward. 

How  important  then  is  self-examination  !  How  ne- 
cessary to  ascertain  the  motives  of  our  actions,  lest  self- 
seeking,  vain  glory,  and  the  desire  of  human  applause, 
should  render  them  odious  in  the  sight  of  God. 

Oh  !  that  I  may  never  forget  this  Gospel  truth,  that  no 
work  is  accounted  good  in  the  judgment  of  heaven,  but 
what  springs  from  faith  in  Jesus  Christ.     Therefore,  till 


CHRISTIAN  MOTIVES.  215 

I  am  united  to  Christ  by  faith,  and  justified  through  his 
righteousness,  all  my  boasted  moral  virtues,  are  nothing 
but  "  splendid  sins." 

Brought  to  this  touchstone,  how  many  actions,  highly 
esteemed  and  far-famed  amongst  men,  will  be  rejected  as 
"reprobate  silver"  by  that  holy  Being  who  searcheth  the 
heart  and  trieth  the  reins. 

For  want  of  due  consideration  in  time,  many  thou- 
sands, it  is  to  be  feared,  will  reap  the  fruit  of  their  crimi- 
nal indifference  through  an  awful  eternity. 

From  this  view  of  the  subject,  I  learn  that  where  there 
is  a  will  to  serve  God,  it  is  accepted  according  to  that  a 
man  hath,  and  not  according  to  that  he  hath  not. 

The  holy  purpose  will  be  recognised,  even  when  cir- 
cumstances prevent  the  performance.  Nathan,  when 
informed  of  David's  purpose  to  build  a  house  for  the  God 
of  Israel,  said,  "  Go  and  do  all  that  is  in  thine  heart ;  for 
the  Lord  is  with  thee." 

David,  though  not  permitted  to  erect  the  temple, 
received  the  most  gracious  assurance  of  the  divine  ap- 
probation :  which  Solomon  took  special  notice  of,  in  his 
beautiful  prayer  at  its  dedication  : 

"  The  Lord  said  to  David  my  father,  Forasmuch  as  it 
was  in  thine  heart  to  build  an  house  for  my  name  ;  thou 
didst  well  in  that  it  was  in  thine  heart  :  notwithstanding 
thou  shalt  not  build  the  house,  but  thy  son  which  shall 
come  forth  out  of  thy  loins,  he  shall  build  the  house  for 
my  name." 

Let  no  one  then  despise  the  day  of  small  things,  since 
the  inward  ardent  desire  to  promote  the  cause  of  Christ  in 
the  earth,  may  be  accomplished  through  the  "  good  hand 
of  our  God  upon  us,"  by  our  children,  and  our  children's 
children. 

Blessed  Lord  !  be  pleased  to  give  me  the  precious 
grace  of  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity.     May  all   my 


216  CHRISTIAN  CONVERSATION. 

desires  be  to  thee,  and  to  the  glory  of  thy  name.  Reign 
in  my  heart  the  Lord  of  every  motion  there.  Purify  my 
motives.  Elevate  my  purposes.  Preserve  me  from  seek- 
ing the  applause  of  men.  Guard  me  from  the  poisonous 
influence  of  flattery  and  self-love.  Clothe  me  with 
humility  ;  and  whatever  I  do  in  word  or  deed,  may  I  do 
all  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 

Assist  thy  sen' ant,  Lord,  to  pray ; 

Illuminate  my  mind ; 
Oh !  guide  me  in  that  heav'nly  way, 

Where  sinners  comfort  find. 

In  mercy,  Lord,  thine  ear  incline 

To  ev'ry  fervent  prayer ; 
Let  rays  of  love,  and  grace  divine, 

My  soul  for  heav'n  prepare. 

Reveal  thy  great  salvation,  Lord, 

Dispel  each  rising  doubt ; 
Oh !  speak  that  soul-enliv'ning  word, 

"  Thy  sins  are  blotted  out." 

Then  shall  I  raise  the  cheerful  song, 

To  my  redeeming  God  ; 
And  join  the  raptured  choral  throng, 

In  Zion's  blest  abode. 


XXXVIII. ON    CHRISTIAN    CONVERSATION. 

The  spirit  in  which  Christian  converse  should  be  con- 
ducted, is  delineated  with  peculiar  accuracy  in  the  word 
of  God. 

How  delightful  would  be  the  society  of  professing" 
Christians,  if  the  humble,  loving,  gracious,  improving 
spirit,  so  much  enforced  in  the  holy  Scriptures,  filled 
every  circle. 


CHRISTIAN  CONVERSATION.  217 

How  needful,  then,  at  all  times  is  the  prayer  of 
David  :  "  Set  a  watch,  Oh  Lord,  before  my  mouth  ; 
keep  the  door  of  my  lips." 

The  true  believer  is  a  new  creature.  He  is  surround- 
ed by  a  holy  atmosphere,  in  which  the  trifler  cannot  live. 
As  his  motives  are  elevated,  so  his  conversation  is  pure. 
The  giddy  and  the  vain  avoid  his  society,  not  because 
he  is  repulsive  in  manner,  but  because  his  views  and 
feelings  are  so  spiritual  and  heavenly.  He  is  ridiculed 
as  "  the  saint"  and  taxed  with  pride  and  self-conceit. 
But  his  heart  is  known  unto  God,  with  whom  he  holds 
sweet  converse  in  the  midst  of  a  naughty  world. 

Such  is  the  Christian.  His  character  is  little  under- 
stood by  the  thoughtless  multitude,  whose  time  is  occu- 
pied and  whose  affections  are  absorbed  in  the  trifles  of  a 
day  :  but  ere  long  he  shall  shine,  as  the  sun,  in  the 
kingdom  of  his  Father. 

The  following  hints  may  tend  to  improve  our  inter- 
course with  each  other. 

We  ought  never  to  speak  ill,  not  even  by  insinuation, 
of  absent  persons,  except  when  duty  positively  requires 
it;  and  even  then,  there  should  be  a  marked  and  sincere 
regret  that  the  occasion  calls  for  such  an  exposure  of 
character. 

We  must  guard  against  attributing  wrong  motives  to 
the  actions  of  others,  even  when  appearances  might 
favor  sucn  a  conclusion:  remembering  that  God  alone 
knoweth  the  heart ;  and  who  are  we,  that  we  should 
judge  our  brother  ? 

We  should  avoid  every  thing  that  borders  upon  oily 
praise  and  flattering  adulation,  especially  towards  those 
who  are  present;  knowing  how  pernicious  praise  is  to  a 
fallen  creature,  and  how  few  are  able  to  withstand  its 
influence. 

This  does  not  exclude  a  proper  commendation,  or  a 
19 


£18  CHRISTIAN    CONVERSATION. 

suitable  encouragement,  when  dictated  by  Christian  sim- 
plicity and  prudence. 

We  must  not  indulge  in  those  high  colorings,  those 
strong  hyperboles,  those  varnished  representations,  which 
seem  to  give  force  to  conversation,  but  which  actually 
destroy  its  delicacy  and  beauty.  This  mode  of  speak- 
ing, by  stretching  out  too  far,  touches  upon  the  confines 
of  falsehood.  Truth  appears  most  beautiful  in  its  own 
native  simplicity. 

Christian  conversation  is  marked  by  love,  humility, 
and  purity.  These  are  the  peculiar  features  by  which  it 
is  known.  Although  so  attractive  from  its  nature  and 
excellence,  yet  how  few  know  how  to  appreciate  or  relish 
its  charms. 

Love  leads  us  to  converse  with  delight  on  all  subjects 
connected  with  the  glory  of  God  and  the  good  of  man. 

Humility  draws  a  veil  over  her  own  graces,  and  deli- 
cately discovers  the  excellencies  of  others.  It  frankly 
confesses  our  own  faults,  and  carefully  conceals  the 
failings  of  our  brethren. 

Purity,  like  the  refreshing  rose,  sheds  a  fragrance 
peculiarly  its  own  over  our  whole  conversation ;  and, 
like  that  lovely  flower,  leaves  its  reviving  scent  when 
we  are  gone. 

How  different  from  the  conversation  of  the  wicked, 
whose  throat  is  compared  in  Scripture  to  an  open  sepul- 
chre, loathsome  and  offensive,  disgusting  and  pestilential. 

We  naturally  love  to  discourse  on  subjects  which  lie 
nearest  our  heart.  No  wonder,  then,  if  real  Christians, 
who  feel  the  love  of  Christ  constraining  them,  delight  to 
talk  together  on  the  most  glorious  of  all  subjects — the 
love  of  God  in  the  gift  of  his  Son. 

May  not  believers  now  say  with  the  disciples  of  old, 
"  Did  not  our  hearts  burn  within  us,  whilst  he  talked 
ivith  us  by  the  way  V 


CHRISTIAN    CONVERSATION.  219 

But,  alas !  how  little  is  there  of  this  spiritual  discourse 
amongst  us  !  The  men  of  the  world,  when  they  meet 
together,  can  enter  with  enthusiastic  ardor  on  their 
various  objects  of  pursuit,  whether  political,  commercial, 
or  philosophical.  The  warrior  recounts  his  battles,  the 
sportsman  his  pleasures,  the  merchant  his  adventures, 
the  politician  his  schemes,  the  philosopher  his  discov- 
eries, the  libertine  his  excesses,  with  a  feeling  and  ani- 
mation which  demonstrate  at  once  that  their  soul  is 
engaged  in  the  subject.  And  shall  Christians  be  less 
alive,  when  they  meet  together  for  the  avowed  purpose 
of  strengthening  each  other's  hearts,  and  kindling  each 
other's  devotion  ? 

If  our  faith  and  love  were  stronger,  our  intercourse 
would  be  more  profitable  and  delightful. 

In  this  our  day  of  outward  prosperity  and  religious 
liberty,  there  is  great  danger  of  imbibing  a  worldly  spirit, 
and  of  suffering  our  intercourse  to  degenerate  into  reli- 
gious trifling  and  religious  gossipping.  The  conversa- 
tion of  too  many,  although  it  may  be  technically  called 
religious,  resembles  the  cloud  and  the  well  without 
Avater,  so  strongly  reprobated  by  St.  Jude. 

When  such  persons  separate  from  each  other,  they 
feel  no  real  good  derived  to  their  souls.  And  why  1 
Because  their  conversation  was  destitute  of  that  "unc- 
tion from  the  Holy  One,"  which  is  life  and  peace. 

Jesus  and  his  salvation — heart  experience  and  genu- 
ine godliness,  as  felt  and  exhibited  in  the  soul  and  con- 
duct of  the  believer — were  not  the  subject-matter  of 
discourse.  The  head,  and  not  the  heart,  was  called  into 
exercise.  Some  religious  publication — some  popular 
preacher — some  recent  occurrence — some  commonplace 
remarks  filled  up  the  hour ;  and  no  wonder  if  the  mind, 
at  parting,  retained  its  wonted  flatness  and  leanness, 

after  such  an  unsubstantial  meal. 

\ 


220  CHRISTIAN    CONVERSATION. 

If  it  be  asked,  must  our  conversation  be  altogether 
confined  to  evangelical  subjects  ?  we  answer,  our  con- 
versation must  always  be  in  the  spirit  of  the  Gospel. 
If  our  hearts  be  right,  we  shall  always  have  one  end 
in  view — the  glory  of  God  and  the  edification  of  our 
neighbor. 

With  this  aim  constantly  before  us,  we  shall  not  wan- 
der far  from  true  Christian  discourse.  The  danger  arises 
from  entering  on  religious  conversation  without  religious 
motives  and  religious  affections  ;  from  having  a  desire 
to  talk,  merely  for  the  sake  of  talking. 

The  apostolic  injunction,  "whatsoever  ye  do  in  word  or 
deed,  do  all  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,"  if  duly 
obeyed,  would  cut  off  every  idle  and  unprofitable  word. 

How  apposite  is  Malachi  on  this  point :  "  Then  they 
that  feared  the  Lord  spake  often  one  to  another,  and  the 
Lord  hearkened  and  heard  it ;  and  a  book  of  remem- 
brance was  written  before  him,  for  them  that  feared  the 
Lord  and  that  thought  upon  his  name.  And  they  shall 
be  mine,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts,  in  that  day  when  I 
make  up  my  jewels  ;  and  I  will  spare  them,  as  a  man 
spareth  his  own  son  that  serveth  him." 

From  the  whole  tenor  of  this  beautiful  passage,  we 
may  be  assured,  that  what  these  believers  spake  so  often 
one  to  another  was  highly  pleasing  to  the  Lord  of  Hosts. 
He  was  their  theme.  Their  delight  was  in  him.  They 
feared  the  Lord,  and  thought  upon  his  name. 

The  following  portions  of  Scripture  may  serve  to  show 
the  nature  and  spirit  of  godly  conversation  : — 

Hear,  Oh  Israel,  the  Lord  our  God  is  one  Lord.  And 
thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thine  heart, 
and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  might.  And 
these  words,  which  I  command  thee  this  day,  shall  be 
in  thine  heart.  And  thou  shalt  teach  them  diligently 
unto  thy  children,  and  shalt  talk  of  them  when  thou 


CHRISTIAN    CONVERSATION.  221 

sittest  in  thine  house,  and  when  thou  walkest  by  the 
way,  and  when  thou  liest  down,  and  when  thou  nsest 
up.  (Deut.  vi,  4  to  7.)  My  tongue  shall  speak  of  thy 
righteousness  and  of  thy  praise,  all  the  day  long.  (Psalm 
xxxv,  28.)  I  will  meditate  of  all  thy  work,  and  talk  of 
thy  doings.  (Ps.  Ixxvii,  12.)  My  tongue  shall  speak  of 
thy  word,  for  all  thy  commandments  are  righteous.  (Ps. 
cxix,  172.)  The  mouth  of  the  righteous  man  is  a  well 
of  life.  In  the  lips  of  him  that  hath  understanding, 
wisdom  is  found.  The  tongue  of  the  just  is  as  choice 
silver.  The  lips  of  the  righteous  feed  many.  The 
mouth  of  the  just  bringeth  forth  wisdom.  The  lips  of 
the  righteous  know  what  is  acceptable.  (Prov.  x.)  The 
lips  of  the  wise  disperse  knowledge.  (Prov.  xv,  7.)  The 
lips  of  knowledge  are  a  precious  jewel.  (Prov.  xx,  15.) 
A  good  man  out  of  the  good  treasure  of  the  heart 
bringeth  forth  good  things.  (Matt,  xii,  35.)  Let  no  cor- 
rupt communication  proceed  out  of  )^our  mouth,  but  that 
which  is  good  to  the  use  of  edifying,  that  it  may  minister 
grace  unto  the  hearers.  (Ephes.  iv,  29.)  Let  the  word 
of  Christ  dwell  in  you  richly  in  all  wisdom,  teaching  and 
admonishing  one  another  in  psalms,  and  hymns,  and  spi 
ritual  songs,  singing  with  grace  in  your  hearts  to  the 
Lord.  (Col.  iii,  16,  17.)  Let  your  speech  be  alway  with 
grace,  seasoned  with  salt,  that  ye  may  know  how  ye 
ought  to  answer  every  man.  (Col.  iv,  6.)  Comfort  your- 
selves together,  and  edify  one  another.  (1  Thess.  v,  11.) 
Speak  evil  of  no  man.  (Tit.  iii,  2.)  Exhort  one  another 
daily,  while  it  is  called  to-day,  lest  any  of  you  be  hard- 
ened through  the  deceitfulness  of  sin.  (Heb.  iii,  13.) 

The  blessed  Jesus,  who  will  shortly  come  in  the  clouds 
of  heaven  to  judge  the  world,  hath  solemnly  declared, 
that  "  every  idle  word  that  men  shall  speak,  they  shall 
give  account  thereof  in  the  day  of  judgment;  for,  by  thy 
words  thou  shalt  be  justified,  and  by  thy  words  thou 


222  CHRISTIAN    CONVERSATION. 

shalt  be  condemned."  (Matt,  xii,  36,  37.)  Not  every  one 
that  saith  unto  me,  Lord,  Lord,  shall  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  heaven,  but  he  that  doeth  the  will  of  my 
Father  which  is  in  heaven.  (Matt,  vii,  21.)  Why  call 
ye  me  Lord,  Lord,  and  do  not  the  things  which  I  say  1 
(Luke  vi,  46.)  If  ye  love  me,  keep  my  commandments. 
(John  xiv,  15.) 

Blessed  Saviour  !  be  pleased  to  touch  my  lips  with  a 
live  coal  from  thine  altar.  Preserve  me  from  a  vain  and 
trifling  spirit.  Solemnize  my  mind.  Spiritualize  my 
affections.  Give  me  to  feel  the  importance  of  eternal 
things.  Shed  abroad  thy  love  in  my  heart,  and  may 
the  law  of  kindness  dwell  upon  my  tongue.  Make  me 
an  instrument  in  thy  hands  of  good  to  others.  Whilst 
laboring  to  promote  the  cause  of  truth  by  spiritual  con- 
versation, may  I  feel  the  blessedness  of  thy  Gospel  in  my 
own  soul.  Keep  me  from  self-seeking  and  from  slavish 
fear.  Enable  me  to  speak  and  act  for  thee,  and  never 
to  dread  the  frowns  of  dying  worms.  With  increasing 
fervor  may  I  love  the  society  of  thy  people,  and  find  my 
happiness  in  sweet  communion  with  thee,  my  Saviour 
and  my  God. 

How  sweet  to  bless  the  Lord, 

And  in  his  praises  join  ; 
"With  saints  his  goodness  to  record, 

And  hymn  his  pow'r  divine ! 

These  seasons  of  delight, 

This  soul-refreshing  gleam, 
These  rays  of  pure  eternal  light, 

Demand  the  grateful  theme. 

Oh  blessed  Jesus  !  pour 

Thy  quick'ning  spirit  down ; 
That  he,  from  this  delightful  hour, 

Thy  work  of  grace  may  crown. 

May  every  waiting  heart 
His  faithful  ivitness  prove  j 


CHRISTIAN    PRIVILEGE.  223 

And  know  its  own  eternal  part 
In  thy  redeeming  love. 

Oh !  blest  assurance  this, 

Bright  beam  of  hcav'nly  day ; 
Sweet  earnest  of  eternal  bliss, 

To  cheer  the  pilgrim's  way. 

Thus  will  our  joys  increase. 

Our  love  more  ardent  grow ; 
While  all  the  fruits  of  faith  and  peace 

Refresh  our  souls  below. 

But  oh !  the  bliss  sublime, 

When  joy  shall  be  complete ; 
In  that  unclouded,  glorious  clime, 

Where  all  thy  servants  meet- 
There  shall  the  ransom'd  throng 

A  Saviour's  love  record ; 
And  shout,  in  everlasting  song, 

Salvation  to  the  Lord. 


XXXIX. ON    CHRISTIAN    PRIVILEGE. 

Under  the  old  dispensation,  many  of  the  great  privi- 
leges of  the  church  of  God  were  veiled  under  emblems 
and  figures  drawn  from  natural  objects. 

The  Psalms  of  David,  and  the  writings  of  the  Prophets, 
abound  with  the  most  beautiful  images,  to  describe  the 
power,  faithfulness,  and  love  of  Jehovah. 

Under  the  new  dispensation  the  veil  is  removed,  and 
they  are  revealed  in  all  their  glory  and  beauty  to  the 
eye  of  faith.  Life  and  immortality  are  brought  to  light 
by  the  Gospel.  But,  as  in  former  ages,  so  now,  the 
natural  man  receiveth  not  the  things  of  the  Spirit  of 
God,  neither  can  he  know  them,  because  they  are  spir- 
itually discerned  ;   yea,  they  are  foolishness  unto  him. 


224  CHRISTIAN  PRIVILEGE. 

Hence  the  Gospel  is  to  them  that  perish,  foolishness  ; 
but  to  them  that  are  saved,  it  is  the  power  of  God  and 
the  wisdom  of  God. 

Happy  are  they  who  are  thus  taught  of  God  ;  for  the 
secret  of  the  Lord  is  with  them  that  fear  him,  and  he  will 
show  them  his  covenant. 

Man  is  naturally  blind  to  his  real  condition,  as  a 
guilty,  condemned  sinner.  Enjoying  the  pleasures  of 
time,  he  never  inquires  after  those  of  eternity.  Satisfied 
with  earth,  he  feels  no  desire  for  heaven,  except  as  it  pre- 
sents to  his  mind  an  exemption  from  pain  and  suffering. 

All  men  naturally  prefer  ease  to  pain.  Hence  heaven 
on  this  account  is  preferable  to  hell.  Such  is  the  esti- 
mate which  wretched  fallen  man  forms  of  heavenly  bliss ! 
Ignorant  of  himself,  and  ignorant  of  God,  he  is  led  cap- 
tive by  Satan  at  his  will,  till  sovereign  grace  redeem  him 
out  of  the  hand  of  the  enemy. 

The  first  truth  which  the  divine  Spirit  discloses  to  the 
awakened  conscience  is,  our  lost  and  undone  state  by  nature. 

This  discovery  is  attended  with  the  deepest  self-abase- 
ment ;  with  brokenness  of  heart ;  with  anxious  desires 
after  salvation  ;  a  salvation  from  present  sin,  as  well  as 
from  future  punishment. 

The  convinced  sinner,  made  sensible  of  the  guilt  and 
burden  of  transgression,  now  longs  for  heaven,  as  a  state 
of  rest  from  sin,  as  well  as  a  state  of  rest  from  suffering. 
But,  alas  !  feeling  his  inability  to  think  a  good  thought, 
and  overwhelmed  with  the  view  of  his  iniquities,  he 
anxiously  inquires,  "  How  shall  man  be  just  with  God  V9 
What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ] 

Another  precious  truth,  hidden  from  the  natural  man, 
is  revealed  to  his  opening  mind  by  the  same  Spirit,  who 
so  graciously  implanted  in  his  heart  that  fear  of  the 
Lord,  which  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom. 

Jesus,  as  exhibited  in  the  Gospel  to  a  dying  world,  is 


CHRISTIAN  PRIVILEGE.  225 

savingly  manifested  to  the  bumble,  trembling,  believing 
sinner,  in  all  his  glorious  offices  of  prophet,  priest,  and  king. 

How  kind  is  God !  how  full  of  mercy  and  love  !  When 
ho  implants  a  holy  fear,  he  imparts  also  a  principle  of 
saving  faith. 

Jesus  is  now  beheld  and  apprehended  as  the  sinner's 
only  atonement,  righteousness,  and  refuge  ;  as  the  only 
way  to  the  Father :  and  the  only  advocate  with  him. 
He  is  viewed  by  the  eye  of  faith,  as  the  chief  among  ten 
thousand.  He  is  esteemed  precious,  above  all  earthly 
or  heavenly  objects.  Angels  and  men,  as  his  creatures, 
sink  into  the  shade,  whilst  tne  glories  of  Emanuel,  God 
with  us,  are  now  seen  to  fill  heaven  and  earth  with  their 
resplendent  brightness. 

The  next  great  secret  which  the  Spirit  reveals  to 
those  who  truly  fear  God,  is  the  fitness  of  Jesus  to  all  the 
wants  of  his  people.  Being  delighted  with  the  perfec- 
tions of  the  Saviour,  the  believer  is  filled  with  admira- 
tion and  gratitude  at  the  view  of  their  suitableness  to 
his  own  personal  necessities. 

He  now  loves  to  contemplate  his  gracious  Redeemer, 
in  his  two-fold  character  : — what  he  is  in  himself — and 
what  he  is  to  his  people.  He  knows  how  to  appreciate 
and  to  apply,  through  the  teaching  of  the  Spirit,  the 
excellencies  of  Jesus  to  his  own  soul.  He  comes  to 
him  daily  for  wisdom,  righteousness,  and  strength.  He 
leans  wholly  upon  his  supporting  arm.  He  lives  upon 
the  promises  of  his  grace,  and  rejoices  in  hope  of  the 
glory  of  God.  He  delights  in  this  way  of  access  by 
faith  to  a  mercy-seat ;  obtains  through  Jesus  the  bless- 
ings he  needs  ;  and  thus  finds  him  at  all  times  his  all 
in  all.  This  is  happiness.  This  is  the  King's  high- 
way to  heaven.  This  is  the  way  in  which  the  flock  of 
Christ  have  trod  in  every  age.  Lord,  lead  me  forth  by 
the  footsteps  of  the  flock.     Make  me  a  follower  of  them, 


226  CHRISTIAN  PRIVILEGE. 

who  through  faith  and  patience  are  inheriting  the  pro- 
mises. 

But  this  is  not  all.  The  sinner  is  not  only  made  to 
see  his  lost  estate  by  nature  ;  the  glories  of  the  Re- 
deemer ;  and  the  Saviour's  fitness  to  all  his  necessities  : 
but  another  gracious  truth  is  unfolded  to  him.  He  is 
enabled  to  know  and  to  rejoice  in  his  own  personal  inter- 
est in  all  the  blessedness  of  his  purchased  inheritance. 
He  can  say  with  the  church  of  old,  "  This  is  my  beloved, 
and  this  is  my  friend."  "  This  God  is  my  God."  "God 
is  become  my  salvation."  "  I  know  whom  I  have  be- 
lieved." How  sweet  is  this  secret  of  the  Lord !  It 
begets  humility,  gratitude,  zeal,  and  obedience.  It 
quickens  love,  and  animates  faith.  It  increases  watch- 
fulness and  holy  circumspection.  It  lays  the  soul  pros- 
trate at  the  foot  of  the  cross,  whilst  it  elevates  the  affec- 
tions to  the  pure  regions  where  Christ  sits  at  the  right 
hand  of  God. 

This  glorious  revelation  is  vouchsafed  to  them  who 
truly  fear  God  ;  not  always  in  equal  measure,  but  in 
such  a  degree,  and  at  such  times,  as  Infinite  Love  and 
Wisdom  deems  best. 

All  the  children  of  God  should  strive  after  this  blessed 
assurance  of  faith.  It  is  not  the  presumption,  but  the 
exalted  privilege,  of  the  obedient  believer.  Those  have 
low  views  of  Christian  privilege,  who  deem  it  arrogant 
to  expect  the  knowledge  of  the  forgiveness  of  our  sins. 

All  who  believe  with  the  heart  unto  righteousness  ; 
all  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity;  all  who 
walk  humbly  with  their  God,  may  know  assuredly  that 
their  sins  are  blotted  out;  for  "  he  pardoneth  and  absolv- 
eth  all  them  that  truly  repent,  and  unfeignedly  believe 
his  holy  Gospel." 

Lord,  be  thou  graciously  pleased  to  give  me  a  holy, 
filial  fear  ;  an  humble,  loving,  obedient  spirit ;    a  dead- 


CHRISTIAN  PRIVILEGE.  227 

ness  to  the  world ;  and  a  devotedness  of  heart  to  thee  ; 
a  renunciation  of  self,  and  a  cordial  reception  of  Christ, 
in  all  his  saving  merits  and  mercies.  Thus,  blessed 
Saviour  !  let  me  lie  passive  in  thy  hands,  waiting  thy 
presence,  and  desirous  only  that  thy  will  may  be  accom- 
plished in  me,  till  it  please  thee  to  call  me  to  thy  king- 
dom above,  where  all  darkness  and  doubt  shall  for  ever 
flee  away. 

Amidst  all  these  riches  of  grace,  another  secret  is 
unfolded  :  that  "all  things  shall  work  together  for  good 
to  them  that  love  God,  to  them  who  are  the  called 
according  to  his  purpose." 

Man  is  naturally  anxious  about  to-morrow.  He  sees 
all  dark  before  him,  and  imagination  conjures  up  a  thou- 
sand fears.  He  suffers  more  from  apprehended,  than 
from  real  evils.  He  creates  a  world  of  misery  to  him- 
self, by  dire  forebodings  and  anxious  glances  into  future 
days.  Not  so  when  faith,  love,  and  filial  confidence  in 
God,  his  heavenly  Father,  fill  his  breast. 

This  gracious  promise  is  then  fulfilled  :  "  Thou  shalt 
keep  him  in  perfect  peace,  whose  mind  is  stayed  on 
thee." 

Calmly  he  leaves  events  with  God.  He  studies  to 
perform  the  present  duty,  and  leaves  the  consequences 
with  him  who  hath  said,  "Seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of 
God  and  his  righteousness,  and  all  other  things  shall  be 
added  unto  you." 

Such  is  the  life  of  faith  in  the  Son  of  God.  It  is  a 
life  of  holiness  and  happiness.  Many,  indeed,  are  the 
afflictions  of  the  righteous;  afflictions  peculiar  to  them- 
selves, as  well  as  afflictions  endured  in  common  with 
their  fellow-men:  but  many,  also,  are  their  supports  and 
consolations. 

These  are  truly  peculiar  to  themselves ;  unknown  and 
unfelt  by  a  suffering,  unbelieving  world.     Eve>>  here, 


228  CHRISTIAN    PRIVILEGE. 

whilst  sojourning  through  a  vale  of  tears,  they  partake 
of  the  "  hidden  manna,"  and  draw  many  a  refreshing 
draught  from  the  fountain  of  living  waters. 

But  their  blessedness  ends  not  here.  The  glorious 
secret,  which  gladdens  their  hearts  under  all  their  sor- 
rows, is  their  future  destination.  They  shall  be  "  heirs 
of  God  and  joint-heirs  with  Christ."  They  shall  "  sit 
down  with  Christ  on  his  throne,"  and  "reign  with  him 
for  ever  and  ever." 

What  heart  can  conceive  the  felicity  of  the  redeemed, 
when  all  terrestrial  things  shall  have  passed  away  ! 

Lord,  make  me  a  tree  of  righteousness,  and  then  I 
shall  experience  thy  heavenly  beams  of  love  !  Should 
the  rough  wind  of  persecution,  or  needful  trials,  shake 
my  branches,  or  even  tear  away  many  valued  comforts, 
yet  may  I,  under  every  bereavement,  repose  on  thy  faith- 
fulness and  rejoice  in  thy  love. 

As  God  in  Christ  is  the  fountain  of  all  felicity,  infi- 
nitely happy  in  himself,  and  the  source  of  true  felicity  to 
his  creatures  :  so  their  blessedness  is  founded  on  his 
truth,  secured  by  his  oath,  and  sealed  by  his  blood ;  for 
"  God,  being  willing  more  abundantly  to  show  unto  the 
heirs  of  promise  the  immutability  of  his  counsel,  con- 
firmed it  by  an  oath  ;  that,  by  two  immutable  things,  in 
which  it  was  impossible  for  God  to  lie,  we  might  have  a 
strong  consolation,  who  have  fled  for  refuge  to  lay  hold 
upon  the  hope  set  before  us :  which  hope  we  have  as  an 
anchor  of  the  soul,  both  sure  and  steadfast,  and  which 
entereth  into  that  within  the  veil ;  whither  the  forerun- 
ner is  for  us  entered,  even  Jesus,  made  a  high  priest  for 
ever,  after  the  order  of  Melchisedec." 

Oh  !  what  rich  discoveries  are  these,  which  are  expe- 
rimentally and  practically  made  known  to  all  who  fear 
God  !  Such  happy  souls  may  well  join  with  the  enrap- 
tured prophet,  and  say,  "  Oh  Lord,  I  will  praise  thee ; 


CHRISTIAN    PRIVILEGE.  229 

though  thou  wast  angry  with  me,  thine  anger  is  turned 
away,  and  thou  comfortest  me."  "  Behold,  God  is  my 
salvation :  I  will  trust,  and  not  be  afraid ;  for  the  Lord 
Jehovah  is  my  strength  and  my  song:  he  also  is  become 
my  salvation.  Therefore,  with  joy  shall  ye  draw  water 
out  of  the  wells  of  salvation." 

Blessed  Lord  !  reveal  thy  truth,  so  full  of  grace  and 
glory,  to  my  heart,  in  all  its  saving  influence.  Warm, 
yea,  inflame  my  soul  with  the  pure  celestial  fire  of  love. 
Illuminate  my  mind,  and  transform  me  daily  more  and 
more  into  thy  image,  till,  awaking  up  after  thy  likeness, 
I  shall  be  eternally  satisfied  with  it. 

Blessed  Jesus,  look  upon  me 

With  a  smile  of  heavenly  love ; 
Draw  my  heart  and  fix  it  on  thee, 

Never  let  it  thence  remove. 

Lord,  I  feel  a  sinful  nature 

Tending  downwards  to  the  earth ; 
Save  a  lost  and  ruin'd  creature, 

Save  me  through  the  second  birth. 

Come,  thou  great  Eternal  Spirit, 

Pour  thy  influence  o'er  my  soul ; 
Let  me  now  thy  peace  inherit, 

Make  a  wounded  sinner  whole. 

Put  thy  holy  fear  within  me, 

Make  thy  gracious  secrets  known : 
Daily  may  I  know  and  love  thee, 

Daily  all  thy  mercies  own. 

Jesus !  plead  my  cause  in  heaven ; 

Be  my  advocate  on  high : 
All  the  praise  to  thee  be  given, 

Through  a  vast  eternity. 


20 


230     AGREEMENT  NECESSARY  TO  COMMUNION. 


XL.— AGREEMENT  NECESSARY  TO  COMMUNION. 

The  question  of  Amos  is  of  practical  importance  : 
"  Can  two  walk  together,  except  they  be  agreed  1" 

There  can  be  no  real  communion  or  pleasing  inter- 
course, without  a  similarity  of  views  and  disposition. 

What  can  be  more  opposite  than  the  carnal  and  the 
spiritual  mind  1  A  spiritually-minded  man  delights  in 
heavenly  things.  He  views  the  world  through  the 
sacred  medium  of  divine  revelation  ;  and  beholds  it  as 
the  abode  of  sin,  as  a  place  of  trial,  as  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death.  Whilst,  therefore,  he  blesses  his  heav- 
enly Father  for  every  undeserved  mercy,  and  receives 
with  gratitude  the  bounties  of  his  providence.,  he  longs 
for  that  glorious  rest  from  sin  and  sorrow,  which  remain- 
eth  to  the  people  of  God.  His  treasure  and  heart  are  in 
heaven,  where  joy  and  happiness  fill  every  ransomed  soul 
in  the  beatific  presence  of  God  and  the  Lamb.  Being 
born  from  above,  he  loves  his  heavenly  Father  ;  being 
united  to  Christ  by  faith,  he  derives  all  his  strength  from 
him  ;  being  under  the  immediate  guidance  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  he  is  led  into  all  truth,  and  made  a  new  creature 
in  Christ  Jesus. 

As  he  loves  God,  so  he  loves  all  the  children  of  God. 
He  delights  in  the  company,  and  sedulously  cultivates 
the  friendship,  of  genuine  Christians.  He  can  say  with 
David,  "I  am  a  companion  of  them  that  fear  thee." 
"  My  delight  is  in  the  excellent  of  the  earth,  and  in  such 
as  excel  in  virtue." 

With  expanded  views  and  enlarged  heart,  he  can  love 
all  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity,  though 
all  may  not  agree  with  him  on  minor  points  of  difference. 
All  who  follow  Christ  in  simplicity  of  spirit,  and  adorn 
the  doctrine  of  God  their  Saviour,  by  the  purity  of  their 


AGREEMENT  NECESSARY  TO  COMMUNION.  231 

hearts  and  the  holiness  of  their  lives,  are  hailed  by  him 
as  brethren,  travelling  to  the  heavenly  Zion. 

The  unconverted  man  is  the  opposite  of  all  this.  He 
cannot  endure  to  hear  religion  discoursed  upon  in  his 
presence.  By  a  frown,  a  sarcasm,  or  a  significant  silence, 
he  soon  manifests  his  displeasure.  The  people  of  God 
are  offensive  to  him.  Should  some  unhappy  characters, 
by  their  inconsistency  or  misconduct,  dishonor  the  holy 
religion  of  Jesus,  he  ceases  not  to  hold  them  up  as  pat- 
terns of  the  whole  fraternity  of  professing  Christians; 
thus  putting  the  seal  of  hypocrisy  upon  all,  without  excep- 
tion. His  manner  evidences  the  exquisitely  malignant 
pleasure  which  he  finds  in  having  so  plausible  an  oppor- 
tunity of  traducing  the  Gospel,  whose  pure  and  self- 
denying  principles  his  soul  abhors. 

To  him,  the  world  is  every  thing.  All  his  thoughts 
are  exercised  either  upon  the  best  mode  of  acquiring 
wealth,  or  the  most  delightful  way  of  spending  it. 

Is  he  a  man  of  fortune  1  Much  of  his  time  is  occupied 
in  ornamenting  his  grounds,  or  in  the  chase.  The  plea- 
sures of  the  field,  the  intricate  mazes  of  political  events, 
the  passing  news  of  the  day,  or  the  still  more  uncertain 
nature  of  the  weather,  form  his  most  edifying  topics  of 
discourse,  except  he  have  a  taste  for  literature ;  and  then, 
men  and  books  are  occasionally  canvassed  and  reviewed. 

Is  he  a  man  of  business  ?  His  conversation  is  filled 
with  subjects  connected  with  his  calling,  mixed  up  with 
all  those  little  incidents  of  life  which  compose  each  pass- 
ing day.  And  well  would  it  be,  if  language  awfully 
pernicious  never  stained  his  lips  !  But,  in  these  worldly 
circles  of  business  and  of  pleasure,  the  value  of  the  soul, 
the  dying  love  of  Jesus,  the  work  of  grace  upon  the  heart, 
all  the  rich  and  varied  subjects  of  redemption,  are  never 
heard,  unless  it  be  to  bear  the  lash  of  ridicule  or  the  laugh 
of  scorn.     How,  then,  can  two  such  opposite  characters 


232  AGREEMENT  NECESSARY  TO   COMMUNION. 

walk  cordially  together  1  It  is  impossible.  Hence  arises 
the  danger  of  real  Christians  associating  with  the  people 
of  the  world. 

Courtesy  and  kindness  are  Christian  duties  to  be  exer- 
cised towards  all ;  but  friendship  icith  the  world  is  decidedly 
repugnant  to  the  spirit  of  the  Gospel. 

In  order  to  wralk  amicably  together,  that  is,  to  enjoy 
each  other's  company  in  any  tolerable  degree,  one  party 
must  give  way  to  the  other,  at  least  to  a  certain  extent. 

The  religious  man,  whose  soul  is  supremely  occupied 
with  heavenly  things,  cannot  help  making  occasional 
reflections  on  those  topics  which  so  deeply  interest  his 
heart. 

The  carnal  man,  who  cannot  bear  such  conversation, 
must  either  hear  him  patiently,  and  even  with  seeming 
complacency ;  or  a  disagreement  must  ensue,  which 
would  in  a  moment  destroy  all  pleasing  intercourse. 

But  as  the  men  of  the  world  are,  in  general,  the  most 
true  to  their  master,  they  seldom  fail  to  insinuate  that 
such  reflections  are  unpleasant,  and  little  better  than 
preaching.  They  think  it  bearable,  because  customary, 
to  hear  them  once  a  week  from  the  pulpit;  but  quite 
intolerable  to  have  such  sermons  forced  upon  them  in 
common  conversation.  Consequently,  they  endeavor  to 
turn  the  discourse  to  subjects  more  congenial  with  their 
taste  and  inclination. 

Here  the  Christian  must  either  give  way,  or  go  away 
as  soon  as  decorum  will  permit;  since  he  finds  that  either 
he  must  be  in  continual  dispute,  or  else  be  continually 
making  compliances  to  the  injury  of  his  soul. 

If,  then,  it  be  evident  that  two  cannot  walk  comfort- 
ably and  profitably  together,  except  they  be  agreed  on 
the  most  important  of  all  subjects — the  salvation  of  the 
soul,  through  faith  in  a  crucified  Redeemer;  what  must  we 
think  of  those  professors  of  the  Gospel,  who  are  con- 


AGREEMENT  NECESSARY  TO  COMMUNION.  233 

stantly  mixing  with  the  world,  not  so  much  from  duty, 
as  from  choice  ;  not  so  much  through  necessity,  as  for 
pleasure  1  Are  they  never  tempted  to  make  sinful  com- 
pliances, that  they  and  their  party  may  be  agreed  1 

Do  they  never  sit  for  hours  to  listen  to  the  vainest  and 
most  trifling  discourse,  whilst  the  dread  of  putting  the 
salutary  check  to  such  idle  words  seals  up  iheir  lips  in 
silence  1 

Have  they  never  encouraged  by  a  smile  some  witty 
jest  upon  religious  characters  :  or  felt  the  blush  of  sinful 
shame  glowing  on  their  cheeks,  when  sarcastically  called 
a  methodist  or  a  saint  ? 

Let  conscience  give  the  right  answer. 

The  end  of  too  many  such  unguarded  professors 
lamentably  proves,  that  they  have  fallen  into  these 
snares  of  the  devil.  Rushing  into  temptation,  without 
a  call  of  duty  arising  from  filial  or  conjugal  relationship, 
they  grieve  the  Holy  Spirit,  wound  their  own  con- 
sciences, imbibe  by  degrees  the  spirit  of  the  world,  get 
more  and  more  assimilated  to  its  taste  and  manners,  till 
at  last  they  lose  all  relish  for  spiritual  enjoyments,  and, 
like  the  apostate  Julian,  sit  down  in  the  seat  of  the 
scornful. 

"Remember  Lot's  wife,"  is  the  warning  voice  of  Jesus. 
"  Demas  hath  forsaken  me,  having  loved  this  present  evil 
world,"  is  the  lamentation  of  St.  Paul. 

Some  may  condemn  these  cautionary  remarks  as  un- 
charitable ;  but  those  who  take  Scripture  for  their  guide, 
and  experience  for  their  teacher,  well  know  the  truth  of 
these  assertions.  Surely,  then,  we  may  say  with  David, 
"  Blessed  is  the  man  that  walketh  not  in  the  counsel  of 
the  ungodly,  nor  standeth  in  the  way  of  sinners,  nor 
6itteth  in  the  seat  of  the  scornful  ;  but  whose  delight  is 
in  the  law  of  the  Lord,  and  in  his  law  he  doth  meditate 
day  and  night."     There  are  many  awful  passages  in  the 

20* 


234  AGREEMENT  NECESSARY  TO   COMMUNION. 

word  of  God  to  guard  Christians  against  the  love,  the 
deceits,  and  the  allurements  of  the  world. 

We  are,  alas  !  too  apt,  even  after  we  know  better 
things,  to  be  carried  away  by  sensible  objects.  Any 
little  trifle  can  divert  the  attention,  even  when  the  mind 
is  engaged  about  heavenly  things,  without  great  watch- 
fulness and  self-government ;  and  these  holy  habits  are 
only  to  be  attained  by  frequent  and  fervent  prayer. 

The  world,  and  the  things  of  the  world,  press  upon  us 
at  all  points.  Our  daily  avocations,  yea,  our  most  law- 
ful enjoyments,  have  need  to  be  narrowly  watched,  lest 
they  insensibly  steal  upon  our  affections,  and  draw  away 
our  hearts  from  God. 

A  true  Christian  living  in  the  world  is  like  a  ship  sail- 
ing on  the  ocean.  It  is  not  the  ship  being  in  the  water 
which  will  sink  it,  but  the  water  getting  into  the  ship. 
So,  in  like  manner,  the  Christian  is  not  ruined  by  living 
in  the  world,  which  he  must  needs  do  whilst  he  remains 
in  the  body  ;  but  by  the  world  living  in  him. 

The  world  hi  the  heart  has  ruined  millions  of  immortal 
souls.  How  careful  are  mariners  in  guarding  against 
leakage,  lest  the  water,  entering  into  the  vessel,  should 
by  imperceptible  degrees  cause  it  to  sink.  And  ought 
not  the  Christian  to  watch  and  pray,  lest  Satan  and  the 
world  should  find  some  unguarded  inlet  to  his  heart  ; 
and  thus,  by  entering  in,  bring  him  to  destruction  both 
of  body  and  soul  1 

Let  no  one  dare  to  be  negligent,  because  salvation  is 
all  of  grace  ;  since  this  very  salvation  consists  in  no 
small  degree  in  a  deliverance  from  pride,  carelessness, 
and  presumption :  and  in  the  implantation  of  holy  fear, 
circumspection,  and  humility. 

The  voice  of  wisdom  says,  "  He  that  despiseth  small 
things,  shall  fall  by  little  and  little."  "  Watch  and 
pray,  lest  ye  enter  into  temptation."     But  why  give 


AGREEMENT  NECESSARY  TO  COMMUNION.  235 

such  exhortations,  if  no  danger  is  to  be  dreaded  1  Every 
caution,  every  warning  of  Scripture,  inculcates  the  neces- 
sity of  godly  fear. 

Thus  I  learn  from  the  word  of  truth  and  from  daily 
experience,  that  "  no  man  can  serve  God  and  mam- 
mon ;"  that  there  can  be  no  fellowship  between  right- 
eousness and  unrighteousness  ;  no  agreement  between 
the  temple  of  God  and  idols  ;  that  a  believer  hath  no 
part  with  an  infidel ;  and,  consequently,  that  the  children 
of  God  must  not  be  unequally  yoked  with  unbelievers  : 
how,  then,  can  two  walk  together  except  they  be  agreed? 
The  blessed  Saviour  gave  himself  for  us  to  deliver  us 
from  this  present  evil  world.  He  declared  to  his  disci- 
ples, "  If  ye  were  of  the  world,  the  world  would  love 
its  own  ;  but  because  ye  are  not  of  the  world,  but  I  have 
chosen  you  out  of  the  world,  therefore  the  world  hateth 
you." 

Hence  it  follows,  that  "  they  who  will  live  godly  in 
Christ  Jesus  must  suffer  persecution  ;"  for,  said  our 
Lord,  "  if  they  have  hated  me,  they  will  also  hate  you." 
And  so  we  find  it ;  for,  as  he  that  was  born  after  the 
flesh  persecuted  him  that  was  born  after  the  Spirit, 
even  so  it  is  now.  There  must,  therefore,  of  necessity, 
be  drawn  a  broad  line  of  separation  between  the  true 
church  of  Christ  and  the  world :  this  distinction  must 
be  plain  and  visible  ;  not  by  needless  singularity  of  dress 
or  manner ;  not  by  sanctimonious  looks  or  drawling 
tones  :  but  by  humility  of  mind  ;  by  kindness  of  spirit ; 
by  purity  of  conversation  ;  by  unwearied  efforts  to  do 
good,  even  to  the  evil  and  unthankful ;  in  a  word,  by  a 
faithful  exhibition  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ  in  all  the  holy 
fruits  of  righteousness,  goodness,  and  truth. 

Thus  true  Christians  must  come  out  and  be  separate 
from  the  world  in  its  principles,  spirit,  and  practice  ; 
for  the  word  of  God  unequivocally  declares,  that  "if 


236  AGREEMENT  NECESSARY  TO   COiMMUNION. 

any  man  have  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none 
of  his." 

Oh  blessed  Saviour  !  preserve  my  heart  from  the  pollu- 
tions of  the  world ;  from  the  influence  and  example  of 
worldly  men.  Defend  and  shield  me  by  thy  grace  from 
sinful  compliances  ;  stop  all  the  avenues  to  ill.  May 
holy  affections  and  heavenly  desires  fill  my  soul,  that 
meaner  desires  may  have  no  room  to  enter  in. 

Whilst  I  am  in  the  world,  Oh  !  grant  that  I  may  not 
be  of  the  world.  Whilst  my  hands  are  employed  about 
the  necessary  affairs  of  this  life,  may  my  heart  be  fully 
fixed  on  the  next.  Whilst  I  use  the  world,  preserve  me 
from  abusing  it ;  and  through  the  riches  of  thy  grace 
enable  me  to  live  in  such  a  weanedness  from  it,  and 
non-conformity  to  it,  that  when  death  shall  bear  me 
hence,  I  may  walk  with  thee  in  white  in  thy  kingdom 
of  light  and  glory. 

Sing,  Oh  ye  saints,  in  sweet  accord, 
The  wonders  of  your  dying  Lord ; 
Whilst  journeying  homeward,  sweetly  sing 
The  praises  of  your  heav'nly  King. 

To  you  the  sceptre  he  extends ; 
To  you  a  willing  audience  lends ; 
For  you  he  died — for  you  he  bled, 
And  dwelt  in  mansions  of  the  dead. 

With  joy  his  work  of  love  survey, 
As  you  approach  th'  eternal  day ; 
Behold  the  beauties  of  his  face; 
Admiring,  own  his  matchless  grace. 

Though  angry  storms  should  seem  to  lower, 
And  o'er  your  head  the  deluge  pour ; 
Yet  Jesus,  by  one  gracious  smile, 
Can  e'en  the  darkest  hour  beguile. 

Soon  shall  your  painful  conflicts  cease, 
Soon  shall  you  reach  the  realms  of  peace, 
Where  Jesus  will  his  people  own ; 
Where  storms  and  tempests  are  unknown. 


SEPARATION  FROM  THE  WORLD.         237 


XLI. ON  SEPARATION  FROM  THE  WORLD. 

How  little  is  the  genuine  nature  of  Christianity  con- 
sidered by  the  generality  of  professing  Christians  ! 

The  declaration  of  our  Saviour,  "  My  kingdom  is  not 
of  this  world  ;"  and  the  character  of  his  followers,  "  ye 
are  not  of  the  world,  even  as  I  am  not  of  the  world," 
seem  to  be  words  of  no  import  with  thousands  who  call 
themselves  Christians.  Immersed  in  all  the  businesses 
and  pleasures  of  life,  they  act  as  though  no  such  declar- 
ation had  been  made,  or  any  such  character  been  drawn 
by  the  Saviour  of  mankind. 

The  commands  of  Scripture  are  most  striking  and 
clear  on  the  duty  of  separation  from  the  world.  "Arise 
ye  and  depart,  for  this  is  not  your  rest,  because  it  is  pol- 
luted ;  it  shall  destroy  you,  even  with  a  sore  destruction." 
"  Come  out  from  among  them,  and  be  ye  separate,  saith 
the  Lord  ;  and  I  will  receive  you,  and  will  be  a  Father 
unto  you,  and  ye  shall  be  my  sons  and  daughters,  saith 
the  Lord  Almighty."  "  Be  not  conformed  to  this  world, 
but  be  ye  transformed  by  the  renewing  of  your  mind." 

"  Love  not  the  world,  neither  the  things  that  are  in 
the  world.  If  any  man  love  the  world,  the  love  of  the 
Father  is  not  in  him.  For  all  that  is  in  the  world,  the 
lust  of  the  flesh,  and  the  lust  of  the  eyes,  and  the  pride 
of  life,  is  not  of  the  Father,  but  is  of  the  world.  And 
the  world  passeth  away,  and  the  lust  thereof;  but  he 
that  doeth  the  will  of  God  abideth  for  ever."  "  Know 
ye  not  that  the  friendship  of  the  world  is  enmity  with 
God  1  whosoever,  therefore,  will  be  a  friend  of  the  world, 
he  is  the  enemy  of  God." 

To  a  soul  happily  delivered  from  this  present  evil 
world,  through  faith  in  Jesus,  the  exhortations  of  Scrip- 
ture  are   most  encouraging.     They   breathe   that   holy 


238  SEPARATION  FROM   THE  WORLD. 

resignation  to  the  divine  will,  and  that  cheerful  con- 
tentment with  the  divine  disposals,  which,  when  obeyed, 
must  cause  the  believer  to  rejoice  at  all  times,  and  in 
every  thing  to  give  thanks.  He  is  assured  by  the  voice 
of  infallible  Wisdom,  that  "  A  man's  life  consisteth  not 
in  the  abundance  of  the  things  which  he  possesseth." 
Hence  he  is  warned  to  "  take  heed  and  beware  of  covet- 
ousness." 

Whilst  carnal  minds  are  panting  after  worldly  riches, 
he  is  thus  admonished  by  the  lowly  Saviour  :  "  Take  no 
thought  for  your  life,  what  ye  shall  eat ;  neither  for  the 
body,  what  ye  shall  put  on."  "Consider  the  ravens,  for 
they  neither  sow  nor  reap  ;  which  neither  have  store- 
house nor  barn,  and  God  feedeth  them  :  how  much  are 
ye  better  than  the  fowls  !"  "Consider  the  lilies,  how 
they  grow  ;  they  toil. not,  they  spin  not;  and  yet  I  say 
unto  you,  that  Solomon  in  all  his  glory  was  not  arrayed 
like  one  of  these." 

"  If,  then,  God  so  clothe  the  grass  which  is  to-day  in 
the  field,  and.  to-morrow  is  cast  into  the  oven,  how 
much  more  will  he  clothe  you,  Oh  ye  of  little  faith!" 
"  Take  therefore  no  thought  for  the  morrow  :  for  the 
morrow  shall  take  thought  for  the  things  of  itself :  suffi- 
cient unto  the  day  is  the  evil  thereof."  "  Seek  first  the 
kingdom  of  God,  and  all  these  things  shall  be  added 
unto  you." 

St.  Paul,  who  once  possessed  what  the  world  admires, 
knowledge  and  influence,  counted  them  but  loss  for  Christ. 
His  knowledge,  imbibed  at  the  feet  of  Gamaliel ;  and  his 
influence,  derived  from  the  authority  of  the  High  Priest, 
were  renounced  without  reserve  when  Jesus  revealed 
himself  to  his  soul.  Separated  from  a  world  which  lieth 
in  wickedness,  he  could  say,  "I  have  learned  in  what- 
soever state  I  am,  therewith  to  be  content.  1  know  both 
how  to  be  abased,  and  I  know  how  to  abound ;  every- 


SEPARATION  FROM   THE  WORLD.  239 

• 

where,  and  in  all  things,  I  am  instructed  both  to  be  full 
and  to  be  hungry  ;  both  to  abound  and  to  suffer  need. 
I  can  do  all  things  through  Christ  which  strengthen- 
ed! me." 

From  this  sweet  experience  of  true  religion,  and  this 
knowledge  of  the  emptiness  of  all  earthly  things,  he  de- 
clared to  Timothy,  "  Godliness  with  contentment  is 
great  gain  ;  for  we  brought  nothing  into  this  world,  and 
it  is  certain  we  can  carry  nothing  out;  and  having  food 
and  raiment,  let  us  be  therewith  content.  But  they  that 
will  be  rich,  fall  into  temptation  and  a  snare,  and  into 
many  foolish  and  hurtful  lusts,  which  drown  men  in 
destruction  and  perdition.  For  the  love  of  money  is  the 
root  of  all  evil  ;  which,  whilst  some  coveted  after,  they 
have  erred  from  the  faith,  and  pierced  themselves 
through  with  many  sorrows.  But  thou,  Oli  man  of 
God,  flee  these  things  ;  and  follow  after  righteousness, 
godliness,  faith,  love,  patience,  meekness ;  fight  the 
good  fight  of  faith  ;   lay  hold  on  eternal  life." 

The  Hebrew  converts  he  exhorted  to  the  duty  of 
divine  contentment :  "Let  your  conversation  be  with- 
out covetousness,  and  be  content  with  such  things  as 
ye  have  ;  for  he  hath  said,  I  will  never  leave  thee  nor 
forsake  thee:  so  that  we  may  boldly  say,  The  Lord  is 
my  helper,  I  will  not  fear  what  man  shall  do  unto  me." 

These  interesting  portions  from  the  word  of  God 
show  what  are  the  character  and  spirit  of  true  believers. 
They  are  a  peculiar  people,  created  in  Christ  Jesus  unto 
good  works.  Their  conversation  is  in  heaven.  They 
are  pilgrims  and  strangers  upon  earth  ;  the  temples  of 
the  Holy  Ghost  ;  the  lights  of  the  world  ;  heirs  of  God, 
and  joint-heirs  with  Christ.  On  earth  they  bear  the 
holy  image  of  their  Saviour  ;  and  in  heaven  they  shall 
shine  as  the  sun,  with  everlasting  glory. 

The  world  is  crucified  unto  them,  and  they  unto  the 


240  SEPARATION  FROM  THE  WORLD. 

• 

world.  Its  fascinating  charms  have  passed  away  ;  and 
they  themselves  are  no  longer  the  delight  of  carnal  com- 
pany. Their  holy  walk  and  conversation  is  now  the 
subject  of  derision.  The  holy  image  of  Jesus  is  beheld 
with  aversion.  They  have  become  to  their  once  admir- 
ing associates  as  a  crucified  body,  loathsome  and  dis- 
gusting. 

All  this,  discordancy  springs  from  that  unalterable 
distinction  which  must  ever  exist  between  the  people  of 
God  and  the  people  of  the  world.  This  distinction  is  so 
plain,  that  he  who  runs  may  read  the  living  characters. 

The  one  are  born  from  above;  the  other  from  beneath. 
The  one  are  quickened  by  grace ;  the  other  are  dead  in 
trespasses  and  sins.  The  one  are  governed  by  the  Spirit 
of  God  ;  the  other  are  under  the  dominion  of  Satan. 
The  one  consult  the  glory  of  God,  and  cheerfully  for- 
sake all  for  Christ ;  the  other  make  self  the  centre 
round  which  they  move.  The  one,  in  seasons  of  gene- 
ral defection,  can  say  with  Nehemiah,  "  So  did  not  I, 
because  of  the  fear  of  God  ;"  the  other,  like  Pharaoh, 
when  called  to  bow  to  the  sceptre  of  Jehovah,  exclaim, 
"  Who  is  the  Lord  that  I  should  obey  him  I" 

No  wonder,  then,  if  such  a  disagreement  render  a  se- 
paration necessary :  for  what  concord  hath  light  with 
darkness  ;  what  agreement  hath  Christ  with  Balial  1 

If  Christians  would  be  safe,  they  must  separate  from 
the  world.  To  enforce  this  truth,  the  Bible  is  full  of 
cautions,  both  historical  and  preceptive. 

Before  the  flood  we  beheld  the  dreadful  consequences 
which  ensued  from  the  sons  of  God  being  captivated  by 
the  daughters  of  men,  (how  strikingly  the  distinction  is 
here  preserved !)  and  taking  unto  themselves  wives  of  all 
whom  they  chose,  without  any  regard  either  to  principle 
or  practice. 

From  these  unnatural  alliances  sprung  giants  in  wick- 


SEPARATION    FROM    THE    WORLD.  241 

edness  as  well  as  in  stature,  till  the  flood  came  and 
swept  them  all  away. 

The  history  of  the  Israelites  teaches  us,  by  examples 
the  most  awful,  the  danger  of  sinful  connexions.  The 
following  may  serve  as  a  specimen  of  the  whole.  "And 
the  children  of  Israel  dwelt  among  the  Canaanites, 
Hittites,  and  Amorites,  and  Perizzites,  and  Hivites,  and 
Jebusites.  And  they  took  their  daughters  to  be  their 
wives,  and  gave  their  daughters  to  their  sons,  and  served 
their  gods.  And  the  children  of  Israel  did  evil  in  the 
sight  of  the  Lord,  and  forgat  the  Lord  their  God,  and 
served  Baalim  and  the  groves.  Therefore,  the  anger  of 
the  Lord  was  hot  against  Israel."   (Judges  iii,  5 — 8.) 

Let  us,  then,  beware  of  compromising  our  principles. 
Let  us  beware  of  conceding  to  the  practices  of  the  world, 
from  a  mistaken  notion  of  conciliating  the  prejudices,  or 
winning  over  the  ungodly  to  religion.  Such  conduct 
will  only  excite  the  contempt  of  the  world,  and  provoke 
the  Almighty  to  hide  his  face  from  us. 

No — we  must  be  singular,  if  we  would  be  holy;  we 
must  be  consistent,  if  we  would  be  useful.  If  we  are 
faithful,  we  must  indeed  expect  reproach  ;  if  we  boldly 
confess  Christ  before  men,  and  steadily  maintain  that 
marked  distinction  which  forms  the  line  of  separation 
between  the  church  and  the  world,  we  must  submit  to 
have  our  names  cast  out  as  evil. 

But  true  Christians  ought  never  to  shrink  from  the 
cross.  Like  Caleb,  they  should  follow  the  Lord  fully, 
when  all  else  forsake  him  ;  and  like  Joshua,  they  should 
declare,  with  humility  and  integrity  of  heart,  in  the  face 
of  a  sneering  world,  "As  for  me  and  my  house,  we  will 
serve  the  Lord." 

We  must  let  men  see  the  foundation  of  our  practice, 
and  why  we  cannot  do  as  others  do.  We  must  make 
them  acquainted  with  our  principles,  and  let  them  know 

21 


242  SEPARATION    FROM    THE    WORLD. 

what  are  those  secret  springs  of  action,  which  cause  us 
to  move  in  a  direction  so  opposed  to  theirs. 

This  frank  and  ingenuous  conduct  may  open  the 
minds  and  touch  the  hearts  of  some,  who,  through  grace, 
may  be  led  to  say,  "We  will  go  with  you,  for  we  per- 
ceive that  God  is  with  you."  At  all  events,  such  upright 
dealing  will  bring  comfort  into  our  own  souls,  and  pre- 
serve us  from  falling  into  those  snares  which  Satan  lays 
to  catch  the  fearful  and  double-minded  professor. 

But  if  we  are  habitually  afraid  of  being  decided;  if  we 
endeavor  to  keep  fair  with  the  world  ;  if  we  want  to  live 
like  the  borders  between  the  two  kingdoms  of  light  and 
darkness,  maintaining  a  sort  of  friendly  intercourse  with 
the  inhabitants  on  either  side  of  the  line ;  if  we  are 
ashamed  of  avowing  our  principles  before  men,  when 
duty  and  the  honor  of  Christ  call  for  such  an  avowal ; 
then  we  may  be  assured,  on  the  truth  of  the  Gospel, 
that  we  have  no  scriptural  evidence  of  being  the  chil- 
dren of  God  :  for  thus  saith  our  divine  Saviour,  "  Who- 
soever shall  deny  me  before  men,  him  will  I  also  deny 
before  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven."  "  If  we  deny 
him,  he  will  also  deny  us." 

Blessed  Lord !  keep  me  from  the  snares  and  fascina- 
tions of  a  world  which  lieth  in  wickedness.  May  all  my 
affections  wing  their  way  towards  true,  and  be  ever  fixed 
upon  thee.  Be  thou  the  centre  on  which  I  rest,  and  to 
which  all  my  desires  tend.  Let  my  whole  life  be  de- 
voted to  thy  service,  which  is  perfect  freedom.  In  all 
things  may  I  seek  thy  glory ;  and  from  the  sweet  con- 
straining principle  of  faith  and  love,  delight  in  every 
relative  and  personal  duty,  to  the  glory  of  thy  name. 

What  is  earth  and  all  its  treasures, 

Dazzling  bright  to  mortal  eyes  ? 
When  compared  with  heavenly  glories, 

Deep  within  the  shade  it  lies. 


IMPORTANCE    OF    SELF-KNOWLEDGE.  243 

Earth  is  but  the  land  of  shadows, 

Faintly  tipt  with  glowworm  light; 
Where  the  prince  of  darkness  reigneth, 

Presage  of  eternal  night. 

Oh!  thou  Sun  of  glorious  splendor, 

Shine  with  healing  in  thy  wing; 
Chase  away  these  shades  of  darkness; 

Holy  light  and  comfort  bring. 

Let  the  heralds  of  salvation 

Round  the  earth  with  joy  proclaim, 
Death  and  hell  are  spoil'd  and  vanquish'd 

Through  the  great  Emanuel's  name. 

Take  thy  power,  Almighty  Saviour, 

Claim  the  nations  for  thine  own  ■ 
Reign,  thou  Lord  of  life  and  glory, 

Till  each  heart  become  thy  throne . 


XLII. ON  THE  IMPORTANCE  OF  SELF-KNOWLEDGE. 

And  did  Jesus  say  to  his  disciples,  "ye  know  not  what 
manner  of  spirit  ye  are  of,"  when,  in  their  zeal  for  the 
honor  of  their  Master,  they  wanted  fire  to  descend  upon 
the  unbelieving  Samaritans'?  Then,  Oh  my  soul,  look 
well  to  thyself. 

Search  deep  into  thy  principles  of  action,  the  ground 
of  thy  obedience.  Weigh  well  thy  motives  in  the  bal- 
ance of  thy  sanctuary.  Examine  thy  intentions.  Behold 
and  see  what  manner  of  spirit  thou  art  of. 

Among  the  twelve  disciples,  I  find  a  traitor.  Among 
the  early  Christians,  an  Ananias  and  Sapphira.  In  the 
judgment  day,  many  will  produce  their  wonderful  works, 
to  whom  Jesus  will  say,  "  I  never  knew  you." 

How  important,  then,  is  self-knowledge,  the  result  of 
divine  teaching  and  self-examination  ! 


244  IMPORTANCE    OF    SELF-KNOWLEDGE. 

In  the  common  business  of  life,  those  thrive  best  who 
examine  most  into  their  concerns.  When  a  tradesman 
neglects  his  accounts,  he  will  soon  have  a  painful  ac- 
count to  give.  Negligence  and  bankruptcy  are  like  sub- 
stance and  shadow  :  the  latter  follows  closely  upon  the 
former. 

These  remarks  are  still  more  important  when  trans- 
ferred to  our  eternal  concerns. 

Oh  !  then,  ere  it  be  too  late,  give  me  grace,  blessed 
Redeemer,  to  examine  well  what  manner  of  spint  I  am 
of,  lest  I  should  remain  in  error  till  that  awful  period, 
when,  standing  before  thy  dread  tribunal,  every  spirit 
shall  be  made  manifest  of  what  sort  it  is. 

With  all  sincerity  of  heart,  I  would  inquire  : 

1.  When  I  attend  the  ordinances  of  the  Gospel,  in 
what  spirit  do  I  attend  them  1 

Do  I  come  into  the  house  of  God  as  a  poor  beggar 
would  go  to  the  dwelling  of  the  rich,  for  bread  to  eat 
and  raiment  to  put  on  1  Is  it  the  bread  of  life  and  the 
garment  of  salvation,  which  I  earnestly  crave  at  the 
throne  of  grace  ? 

Do  I  go  as  a  poor  debtor  who  has  nothing  to  pay — as 
a  guilty  criminal,  on  whom  the  sentence  of  death  hath 
been  passed,  that  my  debts  may  be  cancelled  through 
the  blood  of  Jesus,  and  my  soul  delivered  from  the  curse 
of  the  law  1 

Do  I  go,  as  one  who  is  full  of  a  sore  disease,  to  the 
great  Physician  for  health  and  cure,  for  the  gift  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  to  renovate  my  corrupted  nature  ? 

Do  I  go  to  the  house  of  God,  as  my  exceeding  joy,  to 
hear  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation,  to  learn  the  way  of 
righteousness,  and  to  sing  the  praises  of  the  Lord  1 

Or  do  I  go  in  a  spirit  of  formality,  for  the  sake  of  being 
thought  religious  ;  from  mere  custom  and  habit,  and  in 
a  spirit  devoid  of  devotion  and  love  ? 


IMPORTANCE   OF  SELF-KNOWLEDGE.  245 

2.  When  I  give  alms  to  the  poor,  in  what  spirit  do  I 
give  them  ?  Have  I  considered  all  my  property  as  a 
trust  committed  to  my  care  by  the  Almighty  Proprietor 
of  the  universe,  to  whom  I  must  one  day  give  a  strict 
account  of  my  stewardship? 

Do  I  view  the  poor  as  the  Lord's  bankers  ;  remember- 
ing who  hath  said,  he  that  hath  pity  on  the  poor,  lend- 
eth  unto  the  Lord,  and  that  which  he  hath  given,  will 
he  pay  again  ? 

Do  I  esteem  the  pious  poor,  rich  in  faith  and  heirs  of 
the  kingdom  which  God  hath  promised  to  them  that 
love  him,  as  brethren,  whose  necessities  it  is  not  only 
my  duty,  but  my  pleasure  to  relieve,  consistently  with 
the  claims  and  necessities  of  my  own  family  ? 

Do  I  relieve  them  for  the  sake  of  Christ,  because  they 
belong  to  him,  with  a  single  eye  to  his  glory ;  and  as 
unobserved  by  others  as  circumstances  will  admit? 

Or  do  I  relieve  the  poor  through  public  institutions 
only,  that  my  name  may  be  enrolled,  and  my  beneficence 
made  known  to  the  world  ;  thus  loving  the  praise  of 
men,  more  than  the  praise  of  God  1 

Are  my  charities  confined  to  the  body  ;  or  do  I  seek 
the  spiritual  good,  as  well  as  the  temporal  benefit  of  my 
fellow-creatures  ? 

3.  When  I  discourse  amongst  religious  friends  upon 
the  truths  of  the  Gospel,  in  what  spirit  do  I  discourse 
upon  them?  Is  it  from  a  heart-felt  conviction  of  the 
sweetness,  richness,  and  vastness  of  these  mysteries  ? 
Is  it  with  a  view  to  mutual  edification,  to  provoke  one 
another  to  love  and  to  good  works,  to  stimulate  to  ex- 
ertion in  the  cause  of  Christ,  and  to  excite  others  to 
greater  usefulness  ?  Is  it  from  a  pure  desire  that  Christ 
may  be  glorified  :  that  his  name  may  be  honored,  and 
his  righteousness  exalted  ? 

Is  it  from  a  principle  of  love*  that  I  converse  with 
21* 


246  IMPORTANCE  OF  SELF-KNOWLEDGE. 

others  on   the  preciousness  of  Jesus,  the  work  of  the 
Spirit,  and  the  joys  of  heaven  ] 

Or  do  I  speak  of  these  things  in  a  spirit  of  spiritual 
pride,  to  make  a  display  of  my  religious  knowledge,  to 
be  thought  wise,  and  to  be  esteemed  a  saint  ? 

4.  When  I  perform  the  daily  duties  of  my  worldly 
calling,  in  what  spirit  do  I  perform  them  1 

Is  it  with  a  view  to  glorify  God  in  them,  and  to  ob- 
tain an  honest  livelihood,  through  the  divine  blessing 
on  my  labors,  that  I  may  thereby  provide  for  my  family, 
and  have  wherewith  to  give  to  him  that  needeth  1 

Or  is  it  from  a  covetous  desire  of  wealth  for  its  own 
sake,  that  I  may  vie  in  splendor  with  my  richer  neigh- 
bors :  have  a  greater  opportunity  of  gratifying  my  pride, 
of  gaining  the  appellation  of  opulent,  and  raising  my 
family  iri  the  world  1 

5.  When  the  religion  of  Jesus  is  traduced,  and  the 
Gospel  dispensation  derided  by  carnal  men,  in  what 
spirit  do  I  hear  these  things  1 

Do  I  pray  that  the  Lord  would  convince  them  of  their 
errors,  and  convert  them  by  his  grace  1  Do  I  labor  to 
do  them  good,  if  opportunity  will  permit,  by  speaking  a 
word  for  Christ,  and  exhorting  them  in  a  spirit  of  meek- 
ness and  love  1 

Or,  with  the  disciples  of  old,  do  I  secretly  pray  for 
vengeance  to  overtake  them,  like  the  enemies  of  Elisha  ; 
forgetting  that  I  am  a  partaker  of  the  same  evil  nature 
with  themselves  :  and  if  made  to  differ  in  any  measure, 
most  humbly,  yet  gracefully  acknowledge  with  the  apos- 
tle, "  By  the  grace  of  God,  I  am  what  I  am  1" 

6.  When  reviled  for  righteousness'  sake,  in  what 
spirit  do  I  treat  my  persecutors  *? 

Do  I  return  good  for  evil — blessing  for  cursing — kind- 
ness for  abuse  ]  Do  I  bear  them  on  my  heart  before 
God  in  prayer  ;  and  earnestly  implore,  like  my  compas- 


IMPORTANCE  OF  SELF-KNOWLEDGE.  247 

sionate  Saviour  when  nailed  to  the  cross,  "Father,  for- 
give them,  for  they  know  not  what  they  do?"  Or  do  I 
resent  their  injuries  by  sourness  of  temper,  irritation  of 
spirit,  retaliation  of  wrongs  :  returning,  when  possible, 
evil  for  evil  ? 

Almighty  Saviour  !  thou  who  art  the  author  and  fin- 
isher of  faith,  give  me  a  right  spirit ;  a  purity  of  inten- 
tion ;  a  principle  of  love  ;  that  all  my  thoughts,  words, 
and  actions  may  be  regulated  according  to  thy  will. 
With  true  humility  of  heart,  may  I  ever  study  to  ad- 
vance the  spiritual  welfare  of  my  fellow-creatures,  by 
exhortations,  prayers,  influence,  and  example.  Suffer 
not  the  enemy  of  souls  to  fill  me  with  high  notions  of 
my  own  excellence  ;  but  ever  keep  me  low  in  my  own 
eyes.  Preserve  me  from  spiritual  pride,  the  bane  of  all 
true  godliness.  In  the  lowly  attitude  of  deep  contrition, 
may  I  daily  come  to  thy  bleeding  cross  for  renewed  for- 
giveness and  renewed  strength.  There  may  love  and 
gratitude  fill  my  heart,  till,  passing  through  the  gates 
of  death  into  the  celestial  city,  my  soul  shall  be  for  ever 
dedicated  to  thy  service  and  glory. 

Ah !  who  can  tell  the  joy 

Which  reigns  within  the  breast, 
Where  heavenly  dews  of  grace  descend, 

And  Jesus  is  the  guest. 

Like  some  sweet  summer  rose, 

It  sheds  a  fragrance  round  ; 
Though  still,  alas  !  the  noxious  thorn 

Of  nature  may  be  found. 

A  bright  celestial  day 

Pours  light  and  warmth  within ; 
Yet  still  a  cloud  too  oft  obscures 

Its  beams,  through  inbred  sin. 

Here  is  the  seat  of  war, 

Where  sin  and  Satan  rage ; 
The  conqueror  is  the  dying  saint, 

Who,  fighting,  quits  the  stage. 


248  SPIRIT  OF  PRAYER. 

Blest  Jesus,  to  my  soul 

Thy  grace  and  strength  impart ; 

Til,  clothed  in  perfect  righteousness, 
I  see  thee  as  thou  art. 


XLIII. ON    THE    SPIRIT    OF    PRAYER. 

There  cannot  be  a  greater  blessing  imparted  to  us, 
than  a  spirit  of  prayer.  It  is  the  earnest  of  all  other 
blessings.  When  it  pleases  God  to  bestow  a  spirit  of 
prayer,  every  other  spiritual  blessing  is,  as  it  were,  wait- 
ing to  descend  upon  the  seeking  soul.  The  spirit  of 
grace  and  supplication  is  closely  connected  with  believ- 
ing contrition. 

"  I  will  pour  upon  the  house  of  David  and  the  inhabit- 
ants of  Jerusalem  the  spirit  of  grace  and  supplications, 
and  they  shall  look  upon  me  whom  they  have  pierced, 
and  mourn." 

A  spirit  of  prayer  implies  faith  in  the  promises  of  God, 
and  an  earnest  desire  for  the  promised  blessings.  It  in- 
cludes waiting  and  hoping.  "  I  waited  for  the  Lord," 
says  David,  "  yea,  I  waited  patiently  for  him."  And 
what  was  the  happy  result  1  "  He  inclined  his  ear  unto 
me,  and  heard  me." 

Oh  !  it  is  a  blessed  state  of  heart,  thus  to  wait  upon 
God  continually  in  the  spirit  of  humble,  fervent,  believ- 
ing prayer.  Satan  well  knows  the  value  of  such  a  spirit, 
and  therefore  tries  hard  to  prevent  its  exercise.  He 
labors  to  extinguish  this  sacred  fire,  kindled  in  the  soul 
by  the  Holy  Ghost.  He  endeavors  to  disturb  the  mind  ; 
to  ride  upon  the  wings  of  the  imagination  ;  and  to  fill 
the  soul  with  an  almost  endless  succession  of  fleeting 
images. 


SPIRIT    OF    PRAYER.  249 

This  daily  irruption  of  the  enemy  constitutes  no  small 
part  of  the  Christian  warfare.  The  believer  feels  greatly 
distressed,  when  his  foolish  heart  thus  wanders  from  its 
divine  centre.  At  such  seasons  his  language  is,  Oh 
that  I  were  "near,  and  like  my  God  !"  But  alas!  I 
groan,  being  burdened.  My  heart  is  pained  within  me. 
I  am  a1  most  tempted  to  conclude  that  my  experience 
of  joy  and  peace  is  delusion. 

If  I  be  a  child  of  God,  why  am  I  thus  1  And  yet,  I 
cannot  but  feel  some  encouragement  from  the  thought, 
that  if  I  were  under  the  absolute  control  of  natural  cor- 
ruption, I  could  not  thus  lament  and  mourn  over  its  work- 
ings and  deceits. 

Why  do  I  groan,  being  burdened,  if  I  feel  no  burden  ? 
And  if  I  feel  my  burden,  who  has  given  me  this  spiritual 
sensibility  ?  I  know  that  in  a  natural  state,  man  can 
neither  mourn  over,  nor  feel  the  weight  of,  spiritual 
evils  ;  it  being  one  of  the  marks  of  unregeneracy  to  grow 
in  love  with,  rather  than  groan  under,  sin. 

If  I  am  daily  anxious  to  possess  the  spirit  of  prayer, 
to  be  inwardly  renewed  in  the  spirit  of  my  mind,  to  be 
more  under  the  influence  of  filial  love  and  filial  fear, 
may  I  not  hope  that  a  God  of  grace  has  indeed  drawn 
nie  by  his  loving-kindness,  and  loved  me  with  an  ever- 
lasting love? 

Delightful  thought !  Is  it  too  much  to  draw  this 
happy  conclusion  ?  There  is  no  merit  in  any  creature, 
saint,  or  angel.  The  voice  of  sovereign  grace  is,  "  I 
will  have  mercy  on  whom  I  will  have  mercy ;  and  I 
will  have  compassion  on  whom  I  will  have  compassion." 

Oh  !  that  I  may  be  enabled  by  humble  faith  to  lie  at 
the  foot  of  the  cross  ;  and  there  to  view,  with  growing 
delight,  the  never-ending  wonders  of  redeeming  love  ! 
Such  are  the  feelings  of  every  true  believer. 

Lord,  bestow  upon  me  this  blessed  spirit  of  prayer. 


250  SPIRIT    OF    PRAYER. 

Preserve  me  from  the  incursions  of  the  enemy,  from  the 
wanderings  of  my  wayward  heart.  Take  the  world  out 
of  my  affections.  Let  not  its  image  be  painted  upon  my 
imagination.  But  let  thine  own  image  be  deeply  en- 
graven on  my  soul. 

As  we  cannot  live  naturally  without  air,  neither  can 
we  live  spiritually  without  prayer.  The  latter  is  as 
necessary  to  the  soul,  as  the  former  is  to  the  body.  A 
prayerless  person  is  a  Christless  person.  Living  without 
God  in  the  world,  he  must  die  without  hope. 

The  natural  heart  dislikes  prayer,  because  it  requires 
a  frame  of  mind  quite  opposed  to  its  corrupt  views  and 
feelings.  If  we  feel  an  inward  dislike  to  secret  prayer; 
or  if,  when  we  pray,  our  hearts  are  habitually  cold,  and 
distracted  by  worldly  cares  and  sinful  imaginations ;  we 
cannot  have  a  clearer  proof  of  our  being  carnally  minded, 
which  is  death. 

To  pray  aright,  we  must  see  our  wretchedness,  we 
must  feel  our  misery,  we  must  acknowledge  our  guilt, 
pollution,  and  helplessness,  we  must  lie  at  the  foot  of 
the  cross,  plead  in  faith  the  merits  of  a  crucified  Saviour, 
renounce  our  own  righteousness,  supplicate  forgiveness 
through  the  blood  of  Jesus,  implore  the  gift  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness,  and  pour 
out  our  souls  in  grateful  acknowledgments  for  redeem- 
ing grace.* 

Now  all  this  is  contrary  to  the  natural  man.  It  was, 
therefore,  no  small  mark  of  the  conversion  of  Saul,  when 
Jesus  said  to  Ananias,  "  Behold,  he  prayeth." 

What  an  exalted  privilege  is  prayer  !  How  precious 
is  the  throne  of  grace  !     And  yet, 

"  What  various  hindrances  we  meet, 
In  coming  to  a  mercy-seat !" 

There  is  even  in  the  believer  a  painful  backwardness 


SPIRIT    OF    PRAYER.  251 

at  times  to  approach  that  throne,  on  which  his  Father 
sits  in  the  mild  radiance  of  covenant  love.  Yea,  even 
in  his  happiest  moments,  when  with  filial  confidence  he 
draws  near  the  mercy-seat,  the  artful  enemy  will  labor 
hard  to  impede  him  in  his  work,  and  tempt  him  to  give 
up  the  present  duty  ;  well  knowing  that  every  relaxation 
in  duty  is  a  weakening  of  principle. 

When  such  assaults  are  violent,  the  heart  is  grieved, 
and  the  believer  is  greatly  discouraged.  But  if  he  really 
loves  the  exercise  of  prayer,  and  seeks  opportunities  for 
holding  communion  with  God,  although  much  hindered 
by  foolish,  wandering,  hated  thoughts,  let  him  not  be  in- 
duced to  abandon  the  sacred  work,  which  would  only 
give  the  tempter  an  advantage  over  him. 

When  Satan  casts  his  fiery  darts,  then  must  the  sol- 
dier of  Jesus  Christ  hold  up  the  "shield  of  faith,"  and 
wield  the  weapon  of  "  all  prayer  ;"  being  assured  that, 
in  spite  of  every  opposition,  victory  shall  be  the  glorious 
result. 

The  divine  command  is,  "  Go  forward."  So  did  the 
Israelites  when  the  Red  Sea  was  before  them,  and  the 
Egyptians  behind  them.  Through  the  power  of  Jeho- 
vah, the  mighty  waters  divided  ;  a  way  was  made  for 
his  ransomed  to  pass  over  ;  and  they  sang  the  high 
praises  of  their  Redeemer,  whilst  their  enemies  lay  dead 
upon  the  sea-shore. 

"So  let  all  thine  enemies  perish,  Oh  Lord  :  out  let 
them  that  love  thee  be  as  the  sun  when  he  goeth  forth 
in  his  might." 

"  Happy  art  thou,  Oh  Israel :  who  is  like  unto  thee, 
Oh  people  saved  by  the  Lord,  the  shield  of  thy  help,  and 
who  is  the  sword  of  thy  excellency !  The  eternal  God 
is  thy  refuge,  and  underneath  are  the  everlasting  arms; 
and  he  shall  thrust  out  the  enemy  from  before  thee,  and 
shall  say,  Destroy  them." 


252  SPIRIT    OF    PRAYER. 

Yes  !  all  the  spiritual  enemies  of  the  true  Israel  shall 
sink  as  lead  in  the  mighty  waters,  in  that  day  when 
Satan  and  his  rebellious  angels  shall  be  cast  into  the 
lake  of  fire,  never  more  to  harass  the  gloriried  church 
of  God,  which  shall  shine  as  the  sun  for  ever  and  ever  ! 

I  desire,  I  long,  I  pray  to  be  thine,  Oh  blessed  Jesus, 
— a  member  of  thy  mystical  body — a  sheep  of  thy 
pasture. 

Almighty  Saviour  !  grant  unto  me  the  spirit  of  prayer, 
that,  with  my  whole  heart,  I  may  lift  up  my  soul  unto 
thee.  Open  my  understanding  to  understand  the  Scrip- 
tures. Incline  my  will  to  choose  those  things  which 
are  pleasing  unto  thee.  Fix  my  affections  upon  thyself, 
all-precious  Redeemer.  Sanctify  my  imagination  ;  store 
my  memory  with  spiritual  treasures  ;  sprinkle  my  con- 
science with  thy  pardoning  blood  ;  cover  me  with  thy 
justifying  righteousness. 

Come  and  dwell,  Oh  divine  Saviour,  in  my  heart  by 
faith.  Make  my  body  the  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ; 
impress  thy  divine  image  on  my  soul.  Preserve  me 
from  the  power  and  pollution  of  sin,  the  snares  and 
wiles  of  Satan,  the  love  and  influence  of  the  world  ; 
shed  abroad  thy  love  in  my  heart  ;  stablish  me  in  the 
faith  of  the  Gospel.  May  I  ever  receive  thee  in  all  thy 
glorious  offices  and  characters  as  my  only,  my  complete 
salvation. 

Give  me  grace,  Oh  blessed  Jesus,  to  believe  in  the 
dignity  and  majesty  of  thy  person  as  the  eternal  Word, 
the  everlasting  Son  of  the  Father,  of  equal  power,  glory, 
and  eternity  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost. 

May  I  behold  thee  with  admiring  love  and  gratitude 
as  the  Virgin's  Son,  lying  in  the  manger ;  taking  upon 
thee  my  nature  ;  that  so,  being  God  and  man  in  one 
Christ,  thou  mightest  satisfy  eternal  justice,  and  bring" 
in  everlasting  righteousness. 


srmiT    OF    PRAYER.  253 

Oh  !  may  I  contemplate,  with  mingled  feelings  of 
grief  and  joy,  thine  agony  and  bloody  sweat,  thy  cross 
and  passion,  thy  precious  death  and  burial ; — with  grief, 
when  I  reflect  on  sin,  my  own  sin,  which  nailed  thee  to 
the  accursed  tree  ; — with  joy,  when  I  meditate  on  thy 
dying  love  ;  a  love,  which  angels  cannot  fathom  ;  a  love, 
which  fills  the  bright  intelligences  above  with  wonder 
and  delight ;  a  love,  which  fills  each  humble  soul  on 
earth  with  gratitude  and  praise ! 

Jesus  !  I  would — Oh  !  that  in  the  humble  confidence 
of  faith,  I  may  sa}r,  I  do — receive  thee  as  my  only,  my 
beloved  Saviour  ! 

Impart  into  my  soul  this  spiritual,  this  practical,  this 
experimental  knowledge  of  thyself,  who  art  the  light  of 
the  world,  and  the  wisdom  of  thy  people. 

Oh  !  wash  my  guilty  soul  in  thy  cleansing  blood, 
thou,  who  art  the  bleeding  propitiatory  sacrifice,  the 
Lamb  of  God. 

Now  that  thou  art  ascended  up  on  high,  and  hast  en- 
tered into  the  holiest  of  all,  plead  the  cause  of  a  poor 
wretched  sinner,  who  looks  unto  thee  as  the  Lord  my 
righteousness — my  great  Melchisedec.  Exert  thy  regal 
power  in  my  soul,  thou  king  of  saints,  and  destroy  all 
thine  enemies  and  mine.  Subdue  every  rebellious  in- 
clination of  my  heart,  which  opposes  itself  to  thy  will. 
Bring  all  my  powers  into  subjection  to  thy  divine  au- 
thority ;  and  sit  upon  the  throne  of  my  heart,  the  Lord 
of  every  motion  there. 

Oh  !  may  I  delight  in  the  contemplation  of  those  soul- 
reviving  characters  which  thou  sustainest  in  the  cove- 
nant of  grace  !  Thou  art  the  Redeemer,  Mediator, 
Justifier,  Surety,  Advocate,  and  Purifier  of  thy  people  ; 
their  friend  and  counsellor,  their  shepherd  and  guide, 
their  husband  and  guardian. 

And  Oh  !  how  beautiful  are  the  images  which  the 
22 


254  SPIRIT    OF    PRAYER. 

Holy  Spirit  employs  to  shadow  forth  thine  excellencies. 
Thou  art  "  the  rose  of  Sharon  and  the  lily  of  the  val- 
leys;" "a  plant  of  renown."  Thou  art  "the  true  vine" 
which  supplies  each  living  branch  with  fruitfulness  and 
verdure.  Thou  art  "the  fountain"  in  which  all  may 
wash  and  be  clean  ; — the  rock,  on  which  thy  church  is 
immoveably  fixed  ; — the  way,  in  which  thy  people  jour-» 
ney  to  the  heavenly  Canaan ; — the  door,  by  which  they 
enter  into  the  covenant  of  grace  ; — the  day-star,  which 
illuminates  their  path  and  guides  them  safely  to  glory. 
Thou  art  the  bread  of  life,  the  true  manna,  whose  flesh 
is  meat  indeed,  and  whose  blood  is  drink  indeed. 

Oh !  may  I  daily  feed  upon  thee  by  faith  in  my  heart 
with  thanksgiving,  till  I  see  thee  in  the  heavenly  para- 
dise, and  taste  through  eternal  ages  the  sweetness  of 
redeeming  love  ! 

Oh !  may  I  prize  a  throne  of  grace, 
Accessible  in  ev'ry  place ; 
Where'er  I  lift  my  soul  in  pray'r, 
On  earth  or  sea,  my  God  is  there. 

If  in  the  hour  of  deep  distress, 
Its  woes,  my  heart  in  sighs  express ; 
A  sweet  return  of  love  I  find, 
To  sooth  the  sorrows  of  the  mind. 

Or  when  the  grateful  odors  rise 
Of  praise — delightful  sacrifice  ! 
My  soul  expands  with  joys  unknown 
To  ev'ry  bosom,  but  its  own. 

Ah !  whence  proceeds  this  sacred  love, 
Descending  gently  from  above  ? 
To  thee,  blest  Saviour,  and  thy  blood, 
I  owe  this  precious  gift  of  God. 

Oh !  may  I  daily  love  thee  more, 

Of  blessings,  thou,  the  bounteous  store ; 

On  me  let  ev'ry  grace  descend, 

Thou  Source  of  bliss— thou  sinner's  Friend! 


CAUTIONS  OF  SCRIPTURE.  255 

In  gladsome  notes  of  heart- felt  praise, 
My  joyful  voice  to  thee  I'll  raise ; 
Till  death  improve  the  rising  song, 
And  bear  me  to  th'  angelic  throng. 


XLIV. ON    THE    CAUTIONS    AND    WARNINGS    OF 

SCRIPTURE. 

The  word  of  God  abounds  with  cautions  as  well  as 
encouragements;  with  warnings  as  well  as  invitations; 
with  threatenings  as  well  as  promises.  These  are 
necessary  and  important  ;  otherwise,  they  would  not  be 
so  thickly  scattered  through  the  sacred  volume. 

We  find  the  need  of  cautions  and  warnings  in  propor- 
tion as  we  are  made  acquainted  with  the  subtlety  of 
Satan,  the  deceitfulness  of  sin,  and  the  treachery  of  our 
own  heart. 

We  learn  by  a  thousand  painful  instances,  that  "  he 
who  trusteth  to  his  own  heart  is  a  fool."  How  short- 
lived are  the  best  resolutions  made  in  our  own  strength! 
They  resemble  the  early  dew  which  soon  passeth  away, 
and  the  grass  upon  the  house-top  which  withereth  afore 
it  groweth  up. 

What  a  valuable  part  of  the  Bible  are  the  kind  admo- 
nitions of  a  loving  Saviour  !  How  should  we  prize  the 
salutary  counsels  of  him  who  spake  as  never  man  spake; 
who  sticketh  closer  than  a  brother! 

May  we  ever  remember  his  gracious  exhortations; 
for  "  they  are  spirit,  and  they  are  life." 

"Without  me,  ye  can  do  nothing" — "Watch  and  pray, 
lest  ye  enter  into  temptation" — "Take  heed  and  beware 
of  covetousness" — "  Strive  to  enter  in  at  the  strait  gate" 


256  CAUTIONS    OF    SCRIPTURE. 

— "  Seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God  and  his  righteous- 
ness"— "  Continue  ye  in  my  love." 

We  are  here  taught  by  Infinite  Wisdom,  that  of  our- 
selves  we  can  do  nothing  that  is  pleasing  to  God,  or 
effectual  towards  our  salvation :  that  our  spiritual  ene- 
mies are  constantly  plotting  our  destruction,  spreading 
nets  for  our  feet,  and  holding  out  their  baits  to  draw  us 
into  sin :  that  the  love  of  the  world  is  a  whirlpool  down 
which  millions  are  carried  into  perdition  :  that  carnal 
ease  and  sensual  indulgence  form  the  road  to  hell :  that 
to  escape  this  dreadful  end,  we  must  strive,  yea,  agonize, 
to  enter  in  at  the  strait  gate  which  leadeth  unto  life 
eternal.  We  are  exhorted  to  seek,  as  the  first  great 
object  of  pursuit,  not  the  honors  and  wealth  of  the 
world,  but  righteousness,  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy 
Ghost.  We  are  warned  against  the  smallest  approach 
towards  spiritual  declension ;  and  to  avoid  so  great  an 
evil,  we  are  commanded  to  persevere  in  the  good  and 
the  right  way,  by  continuing  in  the  constant  exercise 
of  a  supreme  love  to  Jesus,  who  loved  us,  and  gave 
himself  for  us. 

Such  are  the  salutary  counsels  given  to  us  by  our 
divine  Saviour,  who  said  to  his  disciples,  "  If  ye  know 
these  things,  happy  are  ye  if  ye  do  them." 

In  the  Gospel  of  the  blessed  God,  we  are  also  cau- 
tioned against  spiritual  pride:  "Be  not  high-minded, 
but  fear." 

How  prone  we  are  to  be  proud,  although  we  have 
nothing  to  be  proud  of!  Our  hearts  are  strongly  in- 
clined to  pride,  which  is  the  very  essence  of  the  fall. 
Pride  cast  angels  out  of  heaven,  and  man  out  of  para- 
dise. Pride  fights  against  the  mercy  of  God ;  bars  the 
sinner's  heart  against  the  Saviour ;  and  hurries  the 
proud  rebel  down  the  precipice  of  desperation  into  the 
burning  gulf  of  hell  !     "  Happy,  then,  is  the  man  who 


CAUTIONS   OF  SCRIPTURE.  257 

feareth  alway,"  lest  he  fall  into  the  condemnation  of 
the  devil  ! 

Blessed  Jesus!  clothe  me  with  humility;  destroy  this 
baneful  root  of  pride  out  of  my  heart ;  and  make  me 
meek  and  lowly  ;  resigned  to  all  thy  wise  disposals, 
however  painful  thev  may  be  to  fallen  nature. 

How  needful  at  all  times  is  this  kind  admonition  : 
"Let  him  that  thinketh  he  standeth,  take  heed  lest  he 
fall."  We  are  never  in  such  danger  of  falling  as  when 
we  think  ourselves  the  most  secure.  Self-dependance 
and  carnal  security  are  those  fatal  props  by  which  thou- 
sands are  upheld  through  the  delusions  of  Satan,  till 
they  drop  into  everlasting  misery. 

How  good  is  this  caution,  also:  "Let  us  fear,  lest  a 
promise  being  left  us  of  entering  into  his  rest,  any  of  you 
should  seem  to  come  short  of  it." 

Self-love  blinds  tne  eyes  of  the  mind,  so  that  we  can- 
not see  our  real  state  and  condition.  This  was  the  case 
with  the  declining  church  of  Laodicea.  She  fancied 
herself  rich  and  increased  with  goods,  and  as  having 
need  of  nothing  :  when,  in  the  eye  of  the  all-searching 
Jesus,  she  was  wretched  and  miserable,  and  poor,  and 
blind,  and  naked.  Of  Ephraim  it  was  said,  "  gray 
hairs  are  here  and  there  upon  him,  yet  he  knowetb 
not."  Of  Ephesus,  "  thou  hast  left  thy  first  love."  Of 
Sardis,  "  thou  hast  a  name  that  thou  livest  and  art 
dead."     So  blind  are  wTe  to  our  spiritual  declensions  ! 

All  are  not  believers  who  believe  themselves  to  be 
such.  The  divine  touchstone  is,  "  by  their  fruits  ye 
shall  know  them." 

When  Christians  are  sometimes  led  to  doubt  the  sin- 
cerity of  their  faith,  it  is  often  attributed  to  the  tempta- 
tion of  Satan  ;  but  this  may  not  always  be  the  case. 

Had  the  church  of  Laodicea  exercised  a  holy  jealousy 
over  herself,  that  very  fear  of  self-deception  would  have 

22* 


258  CAUTIONS  OF  SCRIPTURE. 

indicated  much  self-knowledge  and  spiritual  discern- 
ment; and  might,  through  grace,  have  preserved  her 
from  degenerating  into  that  state  of  lukewarmness, 
which  evidently  originated  in  pride  and  self-conceit. 

Satan  not  unfrequently  harasses  the  true  believer  with 
desponding  fears ;  while  he  buoys  up  the  mere  nominal 
professor  with  presumptuous  hopes.  These  desponding 
fears,  if  indulged  to  excess,  are  injurious  to  the  believer's 
advancement  in  holiness.  They  wound  his  peace,  and 
are  dishonorable  to  a  faithful,  loving  Saviour. 

Yet,  if  these  fearful  apprehensions  lead  him  to  closer 
self-examination,  and  greater  searchings  of  heart ;  to 
more  fervent  supplication,  and  increased  watchfulness  ; 
then  Satan  is  foiled,  and  the  believer,  rescued  from  the 
power  of  the  enemy,  through  the  unfailing  grace  of  the 
Redeemer,  is  made  to  come  off  more  than  conqueror, 
and  to  sing  with  joy  in  the  ways  of  the  Lord.  When 
the  believer  in  Jesus  has  attained  to  this  happy  state, 
his  soul  is  in  a  right  frame  :  humble,  watchful,  and 
holy.  Being  taught  in  the  school  of  Christ  to  know 
himself  and  his  Saviour,  he  proceeds  with  steady  step 
towards  the  heavenly  Canaan,  under  the  equipoising 
influence  of  hope  and  fear. 

Every  thing  which  can  comfort  the  child  of  God  is 
recorded  by  the  pen  of  eternal  truth.  As  his  salvation 
is  all  of  grace  in  its  origin,  so  is  it  also  in  its  progress 
and  consummation.  "  God  is  faithful,  who  hath  pro- 
mised." "  He  who  hath  begun  the  good  work,  will 
perform  it  until  the  day  of  Jesus  Christ." 

Nothing  can  be  stronger  than  the  following  assurance 
of  love  and  mercy  which  is  made  to  every  penitent  sin- 
ner, flying  for  refuge  to  the  cross  of  Christ :  "  God  will- 
ing more  abundantly  to  show  unto  the  heirs  of  promise 
the  immutability  of  his  counsel,  confirmed  it  by  an  oath; 
%at  by  two  immutable  things,  in  which  it  was  impossi- 


CAUTIONS  OF  SCRIPTURE.  259 

ble  for  God  to  lie,  we  might  have  strong  consolation, 
who  have  fled  for  refuge  to  lay  hold  upon  the  hope  set 
before  us  ;  which  hope  we  have  as  an  anchor  of  the 
soul,  sure  and  steadfast,  and  which  entereth  into  that 
within  the  veil ;  whither  the  forerunner  is  for  us  entered, 
even  Jesus,  made  a  High  Priest  for  ever  after  the  order 
of  Melchisedec." 

Yet,  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  we  meet  with  many 
alarming  passages,  which  ought  to  awaken  our  solici- 
tude, and  cause  us  to  ponder  the  path  of  our  feet. 

"  The  just  shall  live  by  faith  ;  but  if  any  man  draw 
back,  my  soul  shall  have  no  pleasure  in  him." 

"  If  we  sin  wilfully,  after  we  have  received  the  know- 
ledge of  the  truth,  there  remaineth  no  more  sacrifice  for 
sins,  but  a  certain  fearful  looking  for  of  judgment  and 
fiery  indignation,  which  shall  devour  the  adversaries." 

"  It  is  impossible  for  those  who  were  once  enlightened, 
and  have  tasted  of  the  heavenly  gift,  and  were  made 
partakers  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  have  tasted  the  good 
word  of  God,  and  the  powers  of  the  world  to  come,  if 
they  shall  fall  away,  to  renew  them  again  unto  repent- 
ance ;  seeing  they  crucify  to  themselves  the  Son  of  God 
afresh,  and  put  him  to  an  open  shame." 

"  If,  after  they  have  escaped  the  pollutions  of  the 
world,  through  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ,  they  are  again  entangled  therein  and  over- 
come ;  the  latter  end  is  worse  with  them  than  the  be- 
ginning ;  for  it  had  been  better  for  them  not  to  have 
known  the  way  of  righteousness,  than,  after  they  have 
known  it,  to  depart  from  the  holy  commandment  deliv- 
ered unto  them." 

These  and  other  similar  passages  show  us  the  import- 
ance of  that  proverb,  "  the  fear  of  the  Lord  tendeth  to 
life,  and  he  that  hath  it  shall  abide  satisfied ;  he  shall 
not  be  visited  with  evil." 


260  CAUTIONS  OF  SCRIPTURE. 

How  many  do  we  see  in  the  course  of  our  lives,  who, 
after  nourishing  for  a  season,  begin  to  fade  and  die  !  Is 
it  not  because  the  root  of  the  matter  was  not  in  them  1 
because  their  hearts  were  never  savingly  changed  1 
because  they  were  never  really  and  truly  in  a  state  of 
grace  1 

St.  Peter  calls  such  cnaracters,  "spots  and  blemishes." 
St.  Jude  styles  them,  "spots  in  your  feasts  of  charity" — 
"  clouds  without  water — trees  without  fruit,  to  whom  is 
reserved  the  blackness  of  darkness  for  ever !" 

Awful  words  indeed  !  Oh  what  need  there  is  for  close 
examination,  lest  haply  we  should  be  found  amongst 
those  self-deceivers  who  fancy  themselves  to  be  some- 
thing while  they  are  nothing  ;  and  who,  after  they  have 
made  a  noisy  profession  before  men,  will  prove  at  last 
mere  castaways  !  The  blessed  Saviour  has  not  left  us 
at  uncertainties  in  these  important  inquiries.  He  has 
given  us  solid  marks  whereby  to  judge  of  our  true  state 
and  character  :  "  If  ye  love  me,  keep  my  command- 
ments"— "  ye  are  my  friends,  if  ye  do  whatsoever  I 
command  you" — "  follow  me." 

As  love  is  the  surest  evidence  of  faith,  so  obedience 
is  the  truest  test  of  love.  How  vain,  then,  is  that  profes- 
sion which  is  destitute  of  these  graces  !  Universal  holi- 
ness is  the  distinguishing  mark  of  genuine  Christianity  ; 
"  Be  ye  holy,  for  I  am  holy,"  is  the  command  of  him 
who  is  of  purer  eyes  than  to  behold  iniquity. 

Supreme  love  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  the  govern- 
ing principle  of  every  believer.  This  sacred  attachment 
to  the  Saviour  forms  the  grand  distinction  between  the 
children  of  God  and  the  children  of  the  wicked  one. 

A  man  may  make  a  reputable  profession  of  religion 
for  a  season,  and  appear  like  a  nourishing  tree  and  a 
fertilizing  cloud  ;  but  if  his  heart  be  destitute  of  "  the 
true  ffrace  of  God,"  he  will  be  found  at  last  to  resemble 


CAUTIONS    OF    SCRIPTURE.  261 

the  character  reprobated  by  St.  Jude — "without  fruit" 
and  "without  water."  In  seasons  of  temptation  he  will 
wither  away,  not  having  a  rooted  principle  of  grace  in 
his  heart ;  and  thus  manifest  to  the  church  and  the 
world,  by  his  declension  and  apostacy,  that  he  was  never 
truly  ingrafted  into  Christ  by  faith. 

The  force  of  temptation  soon  destroys  his  feeble  at- 
tachment to  the  visible  church;  and  he  remains  a  solemn 
warning,  to  all  who  call  themselves  Christians,  of  the 
danger  of  false  profession. 

Oh  blessed  Lord,  preserve  me,  thy  unworthy  crea- 
ture, from  this  awful  state  of  self-delusion.  Oh  give  me 
true  grace,  deep  repentance,  and  fervent  love.  Unite 
my  soul  to  thyself,  in  the  bonds  of  the  everlasting  cove- 
nant. Let  sin  be  my  daily  aversion,  and  holiness  my 
everlasting  delight.  Prepare  me  for  the  enjoyment  of 
thyself  here ;  and  crown  all  thy  mercies  with  the  gift 
of  thyself,  as  my  everlasting  portion,  in  thy  kingdom  of 
glory. 


In  seasons  of  doubt  and  of  gloom, 
When  Satan  would  drive  to  despair, 

Then  Christ  is  the  life  of  my  hope, 
And  hope  is  the  life  of  my  prayer 

My  sins,  like  a  death-bearing  cloud, 
Oft  hide  the  dear  cross  from  my  view; 

But  Jesus,  dispersing  the  mist, 
Disperses  the  enemy  too. 

How  kind  is  our  merciful  God  ! 

His  word  and  his  promise  how  true ! 
He  bids  me  take  courage  and  fight, 

With  crucified  Jesus  in  view. 

Should  Satan  come  in  like  a  flood, 
And  fill  me  with  grief  and  dismay, 

The  Spirit  appears  to  my  aid ; 
His  standard  drives  Satan  away. 


SELF-DECEPTION. 

By  nature  unable  to  stand, 

Or  vanquish  temptation  to  sin ; 

Through  Jesus,  almighty  to  save, 
The  crown  we  are  certain  to  win. 


XLV. ON    SELF-DECEPTION. 

A  good  thought  does  not  consist  in  simply  thinking 
about  good  things.  We  may  meditate  upon  the  most 
excellent  subjects,  and  even  feel  some  delight  in  them, 
whilst  our  meditations  are  neither  pleasing  to  God  nor 
profitable  to  ourselves. 

From  the  habit  of  attending  a  Gospel  ministry,  and 
reading  religious  publications,  we  may  be  led  into  an 
evangelical  train  of  thinking ;  and  yet,  both  the  faith- 
ful preacher  and  the  pious  author  may  be  to  us  only  as 
the  summer  shower  falling  upon  the  barren  rock. 

"  Be  ye  doers  of  the  word,  and  not  hearers  only, 
deceiving  your  ownselves,"  is  the  monitory  voice  of  re- 
vealed truth.  There  is  a  danger  of  being  satisfied  with 
the  sentimentalism  of  religion.  If  a  person  can  express 
himself  with  energy  and  elegance  on  the  grand  pecu- 
liarities of  the  Gospel,  and  thus  convey  his  thoughts 
with  acceptability  and  usefulness,  he  may  be  in  danger 
of  substituting  this  knowledge  and  gift  of  utterance,  for 
humble,  heart-felt  religion. 

As  he  is  not  a  Christian  who  only  talks  about  Christ, 
so  he  is  not  a  spiritually-minded  man  who  only  thinks 
about  spiritual  things.  It  is  a  great  blessing  to  have 
spiritual  views  :  but  what  do  they  avail,  without  spirit- 
ual affections,  and  a  spiritual  walk  ] 

We  are  in  continual  danger  of  self-deception.  What 
is  knowledge  without  love?     What  is  a  ready  tongue 


SELF-DECEPTION.  263 

without  genuine  experience  1  David  said,  "  I  believed, 
therefore  have  I  spoken."  And  St.  Paul,  when  quoting 
this  passage,  adds,  "  We  also  believe,  and  therefore 
speak."  Hence  the  apostle  exhorts  the  Ephesian  con- 
verts to  speak  the  truth  in  love,  that  they  might  grow  up 
into  Christ  in  all  things,  who  is  the  head  of  his  mystical 
body  the  church. 

I  would,  then,  with  all  solemnity  put  these  searching 
questions  to  my  heart:  Do  I  esteem  Jesus  precious]  Do 
I  feel  him  precious'?  Do  I  love  him  as  my  only  Saviour? 
Do  I  trust  wholly  in  his  atonement  and  intercession  ? 
Do  I  delight  in  his  precepts  as  well  as  in  his  promises  1 
Do  these  views  and  feelings  make  me  humble  and  self- 
denying,  thankful  and  obedient  ?  Is  it  my  study  so  to 
walk,  that  1  may  please  God  in  all  things'?  Am  I  look- 
ing continually  to  the  Holy  Ghost  for  power  to  repent, 
believe,  love,  and  obey  ?  Do  I  daily  come  as  an  hum- 
ble suppliant  to  the  foot  of  the  cross  ?  Have  I  laid  hold 
by  faith  on  the  promised  salvation,  so  freely  held  out  to 
me  in  the  Gospel  of  grace  ?  If  this  be  the  character  of 
my  religion,  then  my  thoughts  on  good  things  are  good 
thoughts ;  they  are  the  inspiration  of  the  Spirit  of  God, 
from  whom  alone  "all  holy  desires,  all  good  counsels, 
and  all  just  works  do  proceed."  They  are  evidential  of 
that  spiritual-mindedness,  which  is  life  and  peace. 

Come,  Oh  my  soul,  and  pour  out  thy  heart  at  a  throne 
of  grace.  There  thou  mayest  ask  for  whatsoever  thou 
needest,  with  the  fullest  assurance  that  the  blessed 
Jesus  will  supply  thy  every  need  out  of  his  inexhaustible 
fulness. 

Blessed  Saviour  !  I  ask  for  a  more  spiritual  mind  ;  a 
greater  purity  of  heart ;  an  increasing  deadness  to  the 
world  ;  a  growing  likeness  to  thee  ;  a  more  lively  faith  ; 
more  ardency  of  affection  ;  more  love  for  souls  ;  more 
knowledge  and  wisdom ;  more  meekness  and  forbear- 


264  SELF-DECEPTION. 

ance;  yea,  more  of  every  grace,  which  will  enable  me 
to  adorn  thy  Gospel,  and  glorify  thy  holy  name. 

How  awful  is  the  state  of  the  self-deceiving  and  self- 
righteous  professor  !  He  builds  upon  a  false  foundation  ; 
buoys  himself  up  with  false  hopes  ;  and  lulls  his  con- 
science to  sleep  with  a  false  peace.  He  trusts  to  an  arm 
of  flesh — and  his  heart  departeth  from  the  Lord.  He 
cannot  brook  the  thought  of  being  altogether  indebted 
to  another,  even  Jesus,  the  eternal  Son  of  God,  for  a  free 
justification  ;  and  therefore  uses  the  Saviour's  merits 
only  as  a  make-weight  in  the  scale  of  his  own  virtues,  to 
counterbalance  the  weaknesses  and  failings  incident  to 
human  nature. 

"  But  Christ  will  sooner  abdicate  his  own, 
Than  stoop  from  heaven  to  give  the  proud  a  throne." 

How  different  are  the  views  and  feelings  of  the  con- 
vinced sinner.  He  sees  himself  ruined  and  undone, 
lying  under  the  curse  of  a  broken  law,  without  strength, 
without  righteousness,  and  without  hope.  He  feels  the 
weight  of  the  burden  of  his  sins.  He  sinks  under  the 
ponderous  load,  and  finds  no  help  from  men  or  angels. 
When  he  views  God  through  the  medium  of  a  broken 
law,  he  beholds  him  as  an  offended  Judge,  whose  up- 
lifted arm  is  ready  to  execute  the  awful  sentence.  He 
dreads  to  think  upon  God  ;  a  slavish  fear  fills  his  heart; 
and  horror  seizes  upon  his  frame.  He  looks  to  the  right 
hand,  but  finds  no  rest ;  and  to  the  left,  but  obtains  no 
deliverance.  In  some  highly-favored  hour,  some  precious 
moment,  grace,  like  a  stream  of  light,  darts  upon  his 
benighted  soul.  The  clouds  of  despondency  begin  to 
break.  The  thunders  of  Sinai  cease  to  roar.  He'hears 
a  still  small  voice  speaking  pardon  and  peace  through 
the  blood  of  Jesus.  He  listens — he  can  scarcely  believe 
the  sound,  which  in  an  inward,  yet  powerful  manner, 


SELF-DECEPTION.  265 

reaches  his  trembling  soul.  But  he  is  not  deceived. 
The  light  gradually  increases.  The  divine  Spirit, 
through  the  written  or  preached  word,  reveals  to  his 
now  prepared  mind  the  adorable  crucified  Jesus,  in  all 
the  glories  of  redeeming  love.  He  now  views  the  Al- 
mighty in  a  new,  endearing  aspect.  He  sees  him  as  a 
tender,  reconciled  Father  in  Jesus  Christ;  infinitely  just 
and  holy,  yet  forgiving  iniquity,  trangression,  and  sin. 
He  flies  to  the  hope  set  before  him  in  the  Gospel,  and 
seeks  refuge  from  the  storms  of  wrath  in  the  wounded 
side  of  Jesus. 

"  Rock  of  ages !  cleft  for  me, 
Let  me  hide  myself  in  thee," 

is  the  earnest  prayer  of  his  heart.  By  faith  he  is  clothed 
in  the  Saviour's  righteousness,  armed  wTith  strength  for 
the  spiritual  combat,  and  sealed  with  the  Holy  Spirit  of 
promise.  Joy  and  peace  now  fill  his  soul  ;  love  con- 
strains him  to  obedience  ;  and  childlike  confidence  in 
the  promises  supports  him  under  every  trial.  He  seeks 
the  glory  of  his  Redeemer  ;  loves  his  cause  and  people  ; 
pleads  nothing  but  his  merits  before  the  throne  ;  and 
counts  all  things  but  loss  for  the  excellency  of  the  knowl- 
edge of  Jesus  Christ  his  Lord.  He  hates  and  resists 
those  sins  which  once  he  loved,  and  renounces  that  wTorld 
which  so  much  enamored  him.  Thus,  by  a  progressive 
sanctification,  he  goes  on  from  strength  to  strength,  till 
he  finally  appears  before  God  in  Zion. 

Such  are  the  blessed  effects  of  the  Gospel,  when  it 
comes  wTith  power,  and  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  in  much 
assurance.  It  invariably  produces  works  of , faith,  labors 
of  love,  and  patience  of  hope.  It  brings  glory  to  God  in 
the  highest,  peace  on  earth,  and  good-will  towards  men. 
It  turns  the  lion  into  the  lamb  ;  the  desert  into  the 
garden  of  the  Lord.     It  converts  the  impure  and  savage 

23 


266  SELF-DECEPTION. 

heart  into  a  habitation  meet  for  the  mild  and  holy  Dove. 
Old  things  pass  away — and  behold,  all  things  become 
new. 

How  divinely  glorious,  then,  is  the  religion  of  Jesus  ! 
It  restores  the  sinner  to  the  divine  favor  ;  it  renews  him 
after  the  divine  image  ;  it  redeems  him  from  the  depths 
of  hell ;  and  raises  him  to  the  highest  seats  in  glory. 

What  tongue  can  speak,  or  what  heart  conceive,  the 
richness  and  extent  of  human  redemption  1  How  cheer- 
ing is  the  soul-enlivening  truth  :  that  "all  are  welcome 
to  these  blessings  to  whom  these  blessings  are  welcome." 

Lord,  make  me  willing  in  the  day  of  thy  power.  Seal 
this  great  salvation  to  my  heart,  and  make  me  thine 
henceforth  for  ever. 

Come,  Holy  Spirit,  from  above, 
Thou  source  of  light  and  fire  of  love ; 
Come,  dwell  within  my  longing  breast, 
And  give  my  troubled  conscience  rest. 

Almighty  Visitant,  dispel 
The  dark  designs  and  storms  of  hell; 
Exert  thy  mighty  power  divine  j 
Whilst  beams  of  mercy  o'er  me  shine. 

Subdue  each  rebel  inbred  foe, 
Which  only  thou  and  conscience  know  j 
Purge  out  that  hated  leaven,  sin, 
How  deep  soe'er  it  lies  within. 

Take  from  me  unbelief  and  pride, 

That  spear  which  pierced  my  Saviour's  pide; 

Destroy  each  lust,  till  thou  alone 

Art  seated  on  affection's  throne. 

Come,  Holy  Spirit,  from  above, 
In  all  the  energy  of  love  ; 
Come,  seal  salvation  to  my  heart, 
And  never  from  my  soul  depart. 

Through  all  my  journeyings  here  below, 
Do  thou  thy  light  and  truth  bestow ; 
And  when  my  earthly  toils  are  o'er, 
Be  thou  my  bliss  for  evermore ! 


LUKEWARMNESS.  267 


XLVI. ON    LUKEWARMNESS. 

The  path  of  the  true  Christian  lies  remote  from  un- 
belief and  lukewarmness.  Thousands  who  profess  to 
believe  the  Gospel,  are  indifferent  to  its  precepts  and 
promises ;  and  tens  of  thousands,  though  nominally 
Christian,  are  opposed  to  it  through  unbelief.  Hence 
the  zeal  of  the  true  believer  is  reviled  by  the  infidel  as 
fanaticism,  and  by  the  lukewarm  professor  as  enthusiasm. 

No  state  of  heart  is  more  revolting  to  a  God  of  love, 
than  a  state  of  spiritual  lukewarmness.  Bodily  sickness 
and  earthly  privations  are  slight  evils,  when  compared 
with  this  spiritual  distemper.  It  is  most  offensive  to  that 
gracious  Being,  who  unrobed  himself  of  his  glories,  who 
condescended  to  become  a  man  of  sorrows  and  acquaint- 
ed with  grief,  that  we  hell-deserving  sinners  might  be 
rescued  from  the  burning  wrath,  and  be  received  into 
heavenly  glory. 

Outward  prosperity,  the  admiration  of  friends,  self- 
love,  and  the  gradual  omission  of  watchfulness  and 
prayer,  lead  us  insensibly  towards  this  dangerous  preci- 
pice, down  which  thousands  have  fallen,  and  from  which 
nothing  but  sovereign  grace  can  preserve  us. 

The  natural  inclination  of  the  heart  is  from  God;  and 
even  when  renewed  in  righteousness,  it  feels  the  force 
of  this  evil  inclination,  the  moment  it  relaxes  in  the 
exercise  of  faith  and  prayer. 

Believers  in  Jesus  should  therefore  dread  nothing  so 
much  as  leaving  their  first  love,  and  backsliding  in  heart. 
All  declensions  begin  in  the  heart  and  in  the  closet ; 
and  though  slow  at  first,  yet  they  increase  with  awful 
rapidity,  as  the  principle  of  grace  is  weakened  through 
the  indulgence  of  sin. 

If  reason  and  experience  tell  us  that  the  surest  preser- 


268  LUKEWARMNESS. 

vative  against  falling  down  a  precipice,  is  to  keep  at  a 
distance  from  its  edge;  surely  that  must  be  the  safest 
path  for  a  Christian,  which  lies  the  most  remote  from 
spiritual  declension. 

Those  impressions  which  are  made  merely  upon  the 
passions,  soon  degenerate  into  lukewarmness,  when  the 
novelty  ceases,  or  when  persecution  ariseth  because  of 
the  word.  This  lukewarmness  is  rapidly  succeeded  by 
coldness,  and  coldness  by  contempt ;  for  "evil  men  and 
seducers  wax  worse  and  worse,  deceiving,  and  being 
deceived." 

But  what  is  painfully  true  must  not  be  withheld. 
Even  real  Christians  may  grow  lukewarm  for  a  season, 
through  the  power  of  temptation,  the  force  of  indwelling 
sin,  the  fear  of  man,  or  the  blandishments  of  the  world. 
They  may  fall  asleep  in  the  arbor  of  carnal  ease,  or  on  the 
soft  couc'i  of  worldly  prosperity ;  and  by  thus  grieving 
and  quenching  the  Spirit,  lose  for  a  time  the  sensible  en- 
joyment of  divine  love,  as  well  as  the  evidence  of  their 
adoption  into  the  family  of  God.  Awful  state  !  most 
seriously  to  be  dreaded.  No  eclipse  is  so  dark  as  the 
hidings  of  the  divine  countenance. 

For  this,  they  shall  be  made  to  smart  and  mourn ;  for 
this,  they  shall  go  heavily,  "as  one  that  mourneth  for 
his  mother,"  when  they  are  awakened  by  the  voice  of 
mercy,  and  called  to  look  upon  him  whom  they  have 
pierced  by  their  ingratitude  and  declension. 

This  sinful  wandering  from  God  does  not  destroy  their 
sonship — for  the  word  of  truth  declares,  that  "the  gifts 
and  calling  of  God  are  without  repentance" — any  more 
than  the  disobedience  of  a  child  towards  an  earthly 
father  makes  him  not  a  child.  He  is  still  a  child,  though 
a  disobedient  child.  The  father  is  displeased,  and  with- 
holds his  regards.  The  wayward  child  is  made  to  know 
this,  either  by  correction,  distance  of  manner,  or  the 


LUKEWARMNESS.  269 

withholding  of  some  wonted  favor.  Hence  he  is  brought 
to  see,  to  feel,  and  to  lament  his  disobedience  ;  to  long 
after  reconciliation;  and  never  to  rest  easy,  or  become 
happy,  till  the  displeasure  is  removed  and  confidence 
and  comfort  are  restored. 

In  this  manner  God  deals  with  his  redeemed  people, 
when  they  decline  and  disobey.  He  hides  his  face,  and 
they  are  troubled.  He  blows  upon  their  comforts,  and 
they  wither.  He  has  a  thousand  ways  of  manifesting 
his  displeasure,  both  in  the  course  of  his  providence,  and 
in  the  actings  of  his  grace. 

But  love  is  still  inscribed  upon  aj.1  these  chastening 
dispensations.  How  gracious  is  the  voice  of  their  heav- 
enly Father,  speaking  to  his  wayward  children  through 
his  word  !  "  As  many  as  I  love,  I  rebuke  and  chasten." 
"Whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth,  and  scourgeth 
every  son  whom  he  receiveth."  "  Thou  shalt  consider 
in  thine  heart,  that  as  a  man  chasteneth  his  son,  so  the 
Lord  thy  God  chasteneth  thee."  "  I  will  be  his  Father, 
and  he  shall  be  my  son  ;  if  he  commit  iniquity,  I  will 
chasten  him  with  the  rod  of  men  and  with  the  stripes  of 
the  children  of  men,  but  my  mercy  shall  not  depart  from 
him."  "  Behold  !  happy  is  the  man  whom  God  cor- 
recteth  ;  therefore,  despise  not  thou  the  chasten -ng  of 
the  Almighty." 

Is  not  this  the  language  of  a  loving,  tender  parent, 
who  seeks  the  good  of  his  rebellious  children  ? 

All  sin  is  productive  of  sorrow,  and  naturally  leads  to 
the  chambers  of  death.  Blessed,  then,  are  those  souls 
whom  grace  has  brought  within  the  bonds  of  the  cove- 
nant. If  they  wander  from  the  fold,  they  shall  be  mer- 
cifully driven  into  it  again,  through  the  faithfulness  of 
the  good  Shepherd,  who  hath  said,  "  I  will  hedge  up  thy 
way  with  thorns;  I  will  never  leave  thee  nor  forsake 
thee." 

23* 


270  LUKEWARMNESS. 

But  let  no  one  dare  to  presume  upon  the  mercy  of 
God,  and  sin  that  grace  may  abound.  Such  conduct 
would  prove  the  person  so  acting  to  be  destitute  of  faith 
and  love.  Should  any  deluded  sinner  be  led  by  Satan 
so  to  abuse  the  grace  of  the  Gospel,  he  may  be  suffered 
to  follow  the  wicked  devices  of  his  own  depraved  heart, 
till  he  fall,  as  a  vessel  fitted  for  destruction,  into  the 
abyss  of  hell. 

It  is  the  part  of  true  wisdom  to  distinguish  between 
the  privileges  of  God's  children,  and  the  abuse  of  those 
privileges.  Who  would  condemn  the  noble  faculty  of 
speech,  because  thousands  pervert  it  to  the  basest  pur- 
poses ? 

Is  there  any  one  gift  of  providence,  which  is  not,  by 
some,  converted  into  an  instrument  of  wickedness  1 

But  let  it  ever  be  remembered,  that  those  who  abuse 
the  blessings,  either  of  providence  or  grace,  must  bear 
the  consequences  of  such  impiety,  whoever  they  be;  for 
God  is  no  respecter  of  persons. 

It  is  evident,  then,  that  if  we  do  not  enjoy  peace 
through  believing,  there  must  be  something  wrong  either 
in  our  views  or  in  our  hearts. 

Examine,  Oh  my  soul,  where  the  evil  lies  ;  for  peace 
is  the  sacred  legacy  which  Christ  left  to  his  church  when 
he  said,  "Peace  I  leave  with  you  ;  my  peace  I  give  unto 
you." 

God  in  Christ  is  the  Father  of  all  his  redeemed  people. 
Now,  a  loving,  obedient  child  delights  in  the  society  of 
a  tender  parent.  He  comes  to  his  father  cheerfully,  and 
without  fear.  He  tells  him  his  little  wrants,  and  sincerely 
and  sorrowfully  confesses  any  fault  which  may  have 
been  committed  against  so  loving  a  parent. 

But  if  a  child  dreads  his  parent,  or  feels  shy,  and 
avoids  his  company,  even  when  his  father  is  manifesting 
nothing  but  kindness  towards  him  ;  must  there  not  be 


LUKEWARMNESS.  271 

something  wrong  in  the  heart  of  such  a  child?  Does 
not  the  child  either  mistake  the  character  of  the  parent, 
or  feel  a  consciousness  of  some  indulged  sin,  which  is 
the  latent  cause  of  this  defect  in  duty  ? 

The  Gospel  inspires  confidence  and  love.  The  mo- 
ment we  believe  in  Jesus  with  the  heart,  that  moment 
we  obtain  peace  with  God,  and  pass  from  death  unto 
life. 

This  peace  of  justification  cannot  be  broken,  because  it 
is  founded  on  the  atonement  of  Christ,  who  is  "our 
peace,"  and  "  hath  made  peace  for  us  through  the  blood 
of  the  cross."  The  sins  of  believers  cannot  destroy  this 
peace,  which  is  immutable  ;  since  Jesus,  foreseeing  the 
sins  of  his  people,  atoned  for  them  by  the  one  sacri- 
fice of  himself.  "Being  justified  by  faith,  we  have 
peace  with  God."  The  debt  was  paid;  the  satisfaction 
was  made,  and  folly  accepted ;  when  the  Saviour  cried 
out,  "  It  is  finished  !"  and  bowed  his  head  and  died  ! 

But  the  peace  of  sanctification — that  peace  of  God 
which  is  the  sweet  fruit  of  the  Spirit — may  be  ruffled. 
Every  sin  disturbs  this  peace,  like  the  agitating  wind, 
or  the  pebble  cast  into  the  glassy  lake.  To  preserve  this 
inward  peace,  we  must  go  continually  to  Jesus.  As  the 
feet  contract  defilement  by  walking  through  a  miry  road, 
so  our  souls  have  need  to  be  washed  every  hour  from 
every  hour's  defilement,  whilst  journeying  through  a 
sinful  world. 

As  peace  with  God  is  not  the  result  of  our  obedience, 
but  of  Christ's  atonement,  and,  as  such,  cannot  be 
broken ;  so  the  enjoyment  of  that  peace  of  God  which 
passeth  all  understanding,  and  which  is  the  work  of  the 
Spirit  in  our  hearts,  can  only  be  maintained  by  constant 
prayer  ;  by  delighting  in  the  study  of  God's  word  ;  by 
watching  against  the  workings  of  indwelling  sin  ;  by 
walking  closely  with  God  in  all  holy  obedience  ;  and  by 


272  LUKEWARMNESS. 

a  daily  application,  through  faith,  to  the  fountain  opened 
for  sin  and  uncleanness. 

Every  approach  to  lukewarmness  is  destructive  to  our 
peace.  To  keep  the  heart  under  a  lively  sense  of  the 
love  of  God,  we  must  never  put  our  sins  between  our 
souls  and  the  Saviour.  This  will  only  obscure  his  grace 
and  bring  distress  upon  our  minds.  We  must  look  at 
them  as  laid  upon  Christ  when  he  hung  upon  the  cross. 
Oh  !  that  nothing,  no,  not  a  finger,  may  be  placed  be- 
tween Jesus  and  my  soul,  lest  it  obstruct  my  view  of  his 
full  and  free  redemption  ! 

Many  look  at  their  sins,  instead  of  their  Saviour ;  or 
at  their  sins  as  lying  between  them  and  their  Saviour ; 
and  so  are  discouraged,  by  false  fear,  from  coming  to 
him.  But  this  is  a  device  of  Satan.  We  must  remem- 
ber that  Christ  was  made  a  curse  for  us  when  he  hung 
upon  the  cross  ;  that  he  there  made  a  full  atonement  for 
all  the  sins  of  all  his  believing  people;  for  thus  saith  the 
apostle,  "  He  gave  himself  for  us,  that  he  might  redeem 
us  from  all  iniquity;"  "having  forgiven  you  all  tres- 
passes." 

Oh  blessed  revelation  of  grace  and  mercy  !  This 
apprehension  of  Christ  and  his  all-sufficient  merits  will 
banish  every  doubt  and  fear ;  prevent  that  hateful  luke- 
warmness which  is  the  very  bane  of  godliness ;  and 
cause  our  hearts  to  burn  with  holy  love,  and  to  overflow 
in  grateful  praise. 

Oh  heavenly  Father  !  be  thou  graciously  pleased  to 
preserve  my  soul  from  this  evil  of  lukewarmness,  and 
from  every  approach  to  spiritual  indifference  and  declen- 
sion. Let  the  sacred  fire  of  love  ever  burn  upon  the  altar 
of  my  heart.  Keep  me  humble  and  active,  zealous  and 
self-denying,  till  called  to  thy  courts  above,  where  all 
thy  servants  shall  serve  thee  with  ever-growing  delight 
through  the  countless  ages  of  eternity. 


FORGETFULNESS  OF  GOD.  273 

Ye  saints,  who  taste  the  holy  joys, 

Which  from  the  Gospel  sweetly  flow ; 
Can  you  behold  with  unconcern 

A  world  deep  sunk  in  guilt  and  wo  ? 

Behold  the  millions  bound  with  sin, 

Surrounded  by  the  shades  of  night; 
Behold,  till  pity  drops  the  tear, 

Till  zeal  awakens  at  the  sight 

Arouse,  ye  torpid  saints,  and  bend 

Your  knees  with  humble,  contrite  shame, 
That  you  so  little  pain  have  felt 

For  those  who  know  not  Jesus'  name. 

Come,  join  that  little  holy  band, 

Who  labor  to  convert  a  world  ; 
Join  the  victorious  host  of  God, 

Whose  peaceful  banners  are  unfurl'd. 

Pour  out  your  consecrated  store ; 

Enrich  the  treasury  divine  ; 
Pour  out  the  fervent  heart-felt  prayer, 

Till  truth  through  ev'ry  region  shine. 

The  cause  is  great — the  promise  sure ; 

The  work  of  mercy  shall  be  done: 
Eternal  love  hath  firm  decreed 

The  heathen  to  th'  eternal  Son. 


XLVII. ON    FORGETFULNESS    OF    GOD. 

How  awful  is  the  declaration  of  the  royal  Psalmist ! 
"  the  wicked  shall  be  turned  into  hell,  and  all  the  na- 
tions that  forget  God." 

Sin  is  a  dreadful  evil,  under  whatever  guise  it  may 
appear  ;  whether  in  the  loose  attire  of  dissipation,  in  the 
brazen  armor  of  profaneness,  in  the  fringed  garment  of 
Pharisaical  pride,  or  in  the  rough  clothing  of  sanctimo- 
nious austerity.     Sin  is  an  infinite  evil,  whose  extent 


274  FORGETFULNESS   OF  GOD. 

cannot  be  measured  ;  its  malignant  nature  may  be  as- 
certained by  the  poisonous  fruits  which  it  daily  produces 
in  the  world ;  and  by  those  tremendous  denunciations  of 
wrath,  which  are  revealed  against  it  in  the  word  of  God. 

But  would  we  learn  what  an  evil  and  bitter  thing  sin 
really  is,  we  must  go  to  Mount  Calvary,  and  there  con- 
template the  amazing  price  which  Jesus,  the  eternal 
Son  of  God,  paid  to  Infinite  Justice  for  our  redemption, 
when  he  himself  became  the  High  Priest — the  Victim — 
and  the  Altar. 

Oh  blessed  Saviour  !  give  me  faith  to  behold  this 
great  sight  with  a  broken,  believing,  grateful  heart. 

Enable  me  to  look  unto  thee  and  live ;  yea,  to  take 
shelter  in  thee  as  in  a  rock  of  safety :  and  whilst,  like 
Moses,  I  stand  in  the  cleft  of  the  rock,  may  I  view  by 
faith  all  thy  goodness  pass  before  me,  and  hear  thy  gra- 
cious name  proclaimed  in  accents  of  love. 

The  wicked  and  all  who  forget  God  shall  be  turned 
into  hell.  What  a  large  portion  of  mankind  does  this 
embrace.  Awfully  tremendous  thought  !  The  profli- 
gate, and  the  comparatively  amiable  and  moral  who 
forget  God,  are  here  classed  together. 

The  Scripture  meaning  of  the  term  forget,  is  not  a 
total  failure  of  the  recollection  respecting  the  being  of  a 
God,  but  a  practical  disregard  of  his  presence  and  au- 
thority ;  it  is  living  without  God  in  the  world ;  acting 
as  if  he  either  saw  not,  or  heeded  not,  the  conduct  of  his 
moral  creatures. 

Those  who  now  forget  his  omniscience,  shall  ere  long 
be  punished  with  everlasting  destruction  from  the  pre- 
sence  of  the  Lord  and  from  the  glory  of  his  power.  All 
his  perfections,  his  slighted  mercies,  his  violated  laws, 
and  his  abused  Gospel,  shall  be  eternally  glorified  in 
their  destruction. 

Oh  !  my  soul,  flee  to  the  mountain,  escape  for  thy  life, 


FORGETFULNESS  OF  GOD.  275 

tarry  not  in  all  the  plain,  look  not  behind  thee,  linger 
not,  lest  thou  be  consumed. 

How  happy  are  they  who  love  to  meditate  upon  God, 
and  to  whom  the  Lord  manifests  his  mercy  !  "  A  book 
of  remembrance  is  kept  before  him  of  them  that  think 
upon  his  name."  "  They  shall  be  mine,  saith  the  Lord, 
in  that  day  when  I  make  up  my  jewels." 

Believers  are  the  Lord's  jewels;  they  are  precious  in 
his  sight  ;  they  are  his  peculiar  treasure,  being  the 
purchase  of  his  own  most  precious  blood.  They  delight 
themselves  in  the  Lord,  in  his  perfections,  promises, 
commands,  and  ordinances,  and  are  filled  with  the 
abundance  of  peace. 

Oh  !  that  I  may  have  an  increasing  evidence  of  my 
interest  in  Jesus,  by  thus  delighting  in  him,  and  loving 
him  above  every  created  good  ! 

If  forgetfulness  of  God  be  so  heinous  a  sin,  as  in  the 
very  nature  of  things  it  must  be  ;  then,  how  important  it 
is  to  have  right  views  and  feelings  respecting  our  obliga- 
tions to  our  Almighty  Creator,  Preserver,  and  Redeemer. 

The  divine  command,  "Remember  now  thy  Creator 
in  the  days  of  thy  youth,"  forms  the  basis  of  happiness ; 
but  the  divine  lamentation,  "  My  people  have  forgotten 
me  days  without  number,"  proves  us  to  be  children  of 
the  fall. 

Every  thing  in  religion  depends  upon  the  right  state 
of  the  heart.  If  the  main-spring  be  wrong,  the  whole 
movement  of  the  machine  must  be  in  disorder.  In 
Scripture,  we  find  how  great  a  stress  is  laid  by  him  who 
looketh  at  the  heart,  on  the  inward  principle.  The 
motive  must  be  pure,  or  the  work  is  hateful  in  his  sight. 
Faith  working  by  love,  is  tbe  Gospel  spring  of  action. 
This  is  beautifully  set  forth  by  St.  Paul,  in  the  eleventh 
chapter  to  the  Hebrews,  where  he  produces  the  most 
interesting  witnesses  to  the  power  and  efficacy  of  faith. 


276  FOKGETFULNESS  OF  GOD. 

Though  millions  of  wretched  sinners  forget  God,  ir> 
the  midst  of  their  pleasures  and  pursuits ;  yet,  in  every 
age,  he  has  had  a  people  to  show  forth  his  praise.  God 
never  left  himself  without  witnesses.  The  apostle 
speaks  of  them  as  "a  great  cloud  of  witnesses  :"  and  in 
the  heavenly  world,  St.  John,  when  wrapt  in  sacred 
vision,  beheld  a  great  multitude  which  no  man  could 
number,  of  all  nations,  and  kindreds,  and  people,  and 
tongues,  standing  before  the  throne  and  before  the  Lamb, 
clothed  with  white  robes,  and  palms  in  their  hands. 

That  unconverted  persons  should  habitually  live  in  a 
forgetfulness  of  the  Saviour,  is  not  marvellous.  They 
have  no  love  to  Jesus,  and  therefore  their  thoughts 
never  dwell  upon  him.  But  that  his  people  should  so 
much  forget  him  ;  that  they  should  live  so  little  under 
the  abiding  influence  of  his  presence  ;  that  they  should 
be  so  carried  away  with  the  trifles  of  time,  to  the  sinful 
neglect  of  eternity  ;  is  trul)7  painful.  Nothing  can  more 
fully  testify  to  the  power  of  that  sin  which  dwelleth  in 
us,  or  prove  more  forcibly  the  continual  necessity  for 
watchfulness  and  prayer,  than  this  criminal  forgetful- 
ness of  our  Almighty  Friend  and  Saviour. 

The  best  preservative  against  the  evil  of  forgetful- 
ness, is  a  heartfelt  compliance  with  the  Redeemer's 
command:  "Seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God  and  his 
righteousness." 

If  the  glory  of  God  be  our  first  and  chief  concern  ;  if 
our  most  anxious  desire  be  that  of  the  Psalmist,  "  Whom 
have  I  in  heaven  but  thee,  and  there  is  none  upon  earth 
/  desire  beside  thee  ;"  if  Jesus  be  precious  to  us,  and  all 
else  esteemed  as  nothing  when  compared  with  him  ; 
then  like  Enoch,  Noah,  and  Abraham,  we  shall  walk 
before  God  with  a  perfect  heart,  upright  and  sincere  : 
then  like  Moses,  we  shall  endure  as  seeing  him  who  is 
invisible  :  and  like  David,  we  shall  set  the  Lord  always 


FORGETFULNESS    OF    GOD.  277 

before  us.  With  the  apostles,  we  shall  then  do  all  to 
the  glory  of  God  ;  and  our  whole  desire  and  aim  will 
be,  that  "  Christ  may  be  magnified  in  our  bodies,  whether 
it  be  by  life  or  death." 

Such  is  the  sacred  purpose  of  the  true  believer.  His 
aim  is  high  ;  yet  he  deeply  deplores  those  inbred  sins 
which  prevent  bis  constant  elevation.  He  resembles  a 
bird,  to  whose  foot  a  stone  is  tied.  He  struggles  to 
ascend,  but  feels  the  gravitating  force  of  nature.  Yet 
grace  enables  him  to  rise  above  the  level  of  the  world, 
and  to  soar  higher  and  higher  towards  the  heavenly 
regions. 

Not  so  the  generality  of  mankind.  Most  men  die  as 
they  live.  An  awful  forgetfulness  marks  their  lives, 
and  a  stupid  unconcern  their  deaths.  If  conscience 
should  perchance  be  heard  amidst  the  clamor  of  a  thou- 
sand lusts,  each  panting  for  gratification,  Satan,  too 
crafty  to  deny  the  claims  of  conscience,  whispers  the 
pacifying  expedient  in  the  sinner's  ear: — a  death-bed  re- 
pentance. Thus  he  lulls  his  fears  to  rest ;  well  knowing 
that  the  heart  increases  in  its  hardness  by  delay,  and 
feels  the  less  inclined  to  repent,  in  proportion  as  it  defers 
repentance. 

Lord,  deliver  me  from  this  delusion  of  the  artful 
enemy.  Keep  my  conscience  awake.  Enable  me  to 
seek  first  thy  kingdom  of  grace  ;  that,  at  death,  I  may 
be  admitted  into  thy  kingdom  of  glory,  through  the 
merits  of  my  Redeemer. 

Why  is  my  heart  so  wayward  grown, 

So  prone  to  start  aside  ? 
Where  are  the  joys  and  comforts  flown, 

Which  once  my  God  supplied  ? 

Have  his  redeeming  mercies  ceased 

In  copious  streams  to  flow  ? 
Why  are  liis  judgments  now  increased, 

To  fill  my  heart  with  wo? 

24 


273  WATCHFULNESS. 

Alas !  a  cold,  deceitful  heart 
Has  grieved  the  Holy  Dove; 

My  sins  have  said — Arise,  depart; 
And  now  I  mourn  his  love. 

Dark  and  deserted  is  my  soul ; 

I  hear  the  lion  roar ; 
Lord,  make  a  trembling  sinner  whole, 

Who  lies  at  mercy's  door. 

In  pity  listen  to  my  moan, 
Return  with  pard'ning  grace ; 

Oh !  take  away  this  heart  of  stone, 
And  thou  shalt  have  the  praise. 


XLVIII. ON    WATCHFULNESS. 

This  life  is  a  state  of  probation.  Hence  trials  are 
necessary  in  order  to  prove  us,  as  gold  is  tried  in  the  fire. 

God  cannot  be  tempted  with  evil,  neither  tempteth  he 
any  man  ;  but  we  are  tempted  when  we  are  drawn  aside 
of  our  own  lust  and  enticed.  Satan  works  upca  our 
corrupt  nature,  and  there  he  finds  materials  ready  pre* 
pared  for  his  destructive  purpose. 

Whilst  we  are  in  an  unrenewed  state,  we  are  under 
the  dominion  of  sin.     We  naturally  love  it,  and  are  cap 
tivated  by  it ;  for  our  heart  is  only  evil  continually. 

Common  prudence  and  worldly  interest,  as  well  a» 
natural  conscience,  may  prevent  an  unconverted  man 
from  committing-  many  crimes  which  would  outrage 
society.  The  fear  of  punishment  and  the  dread  of  public 
infamy  may  operate  to  the  prevention  of  those  evils, 
which  would  bring  a  man  under  the  lash  of  the  violated 
laws  of  his  country.  The  certain  consequence  of  disease 
and  poverty  attendant  on  some  vices,  proves  a  paitjai 


WATCHFULNESS.  279 

check  to  their  commission ;  though,  alas  !  too  weak  to 
arrest  the  general  torrent  of  licentiousness. 

Thus,  by  the  constant  operation  of  these  inferior  mo- 
tives, and  through  the  goodness  of  a  restraining  provi- 
dence, we  are  happily  preserved  from  that  inundation  of 
iniquity,  which  would  otherwise  destroy  the  fabric  of 
society. 

There  are,  it  is  true,  many  amiable  characters  to  be 
found,  even  amongst  those  who  are  hostile  to  the  spirit 
of  the  Gospel,  who  may  be  considered  as  ornaments  in 
the  midst  of  surrounding  depravity  and  pollution.  Polite 
education  and  civilized  society  can  varnish  over  the  old 
Adam.  But  these  amiable  worldlings  reject,  as  fanatical, 
those  unwelcome  declarations  of  Scripture,  which  assert 
the  radical  corruption  of  our  nature,  and  the  absolute 
necessity  of  being  born  again  of  the  Spirit.  In  the  midst 
of  all  this  boasted  morality — this  vaunted  amiability  of 
temper — this  studious  endeavor  to  appear  fair  in  the  eyes 
of  each  other — we  perceive  no  filial  fear  of  God  ;  no 
hatred  of  sin  ;  no  delight  in  holiness  ;  no  cordial  recep- 
tion of  the  blessed  Jesus  as  the  only  Saviour  from  guilt 
and  pollution ;  no  self-abhorrence ;  no  watchfulness 
against  the  sins  of  the  heart ;  no  deadness  to  the  vanities 
and  smiles  of  the  world. 

Under  every  garb,  whether  plain  or  splendid,  the  car- 
nal mind  is  enmity  against  God.  This  truth  cannot  be 
too  much  impressed  upon  the  mind  and  conscience. 
Hence  we  see  the  necessity  for  renewing  grace  ;  for,  till 
we  are  united  to  Christ  by  a  true  faith,  we  cannot  re- 
ceive those  powerful  principles  of  love  and  fear,  which 
operate  as  perpetual  excitements  to  holy  obedience,  and 
constant  checks  to  presumption  and  carnal  security. 

Wben  we  are  thus  savingly  united  to  Jesus,  we  receive 
out  of  his  fulness  every  needful  grace.  Being  "  accepted 
in  the  beloved,"  we  have  peace  with  God;  we  are  adopted 


280  WATCHFULNESS. 

into  his  family;  are  sealed  by  the  Holy  Spirit  of  promise ; 
enjoy  sweet  fellowship  with  the  Father  and  the  Son ; 
and,  experiencing-  the  strengthening  consolations  of  the 
Spirit,  are  enabled  to  resist  the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the 
devil,  and  to  perfect  holiness  in  the  fear  of  God.  Such 
is  the  character,  walk,  and  privilege  of  every  true 
believer. 

Lord,  make  me  a  branch  in  Jesus,  the  living  vine. 
Create  my  soul  anew,  and  fill  me  with  every  holy,  pure, 
and  heavenly  affection. 

Great,  indeed,  is  the  character  of  a  child  of  God  ;  yet, 
he  is  renewed  but  in  part.  The  Canaanites  are  still  in 
the  land.  Satan  knows  this  well,  and  tries  most  assid- 
uously to  regain  possession  of  that  heart  from  which 
grace  has  dislodged  him.  To  effect  his  purpose,  he 
studies  tempers,  natural  constitutions,  weaknesses,  and. 
peculiar  situations  in  which  believers  ^re  placed  ;  and 
thus  endeavors  to  suit  his  temptations  to  the  vulnerable 
parts  of  the  Christian  citadel. 

How  needful,  then,  is  the  duty  of  watchfulness  !  If 
an  army,  passing  through  an  enemy's  country,  appoints 
its  out-posts  and  sentinels  to  observe  the  motions  of  the 
inhabitants,  lest  it  should  be  surprised  by  an  opposing 
force,  and  unexpectedly  defeated ;  surely  it  behooves  the 
Christian  soldier  to  obey  the  command  of  the  great  Cap- 
tain of  his  salvation ;  "  watch  and  pray,  lest  ye  enter 
into  temptation. " 

Through  the  slothfulness  and  un watchfulness  of  be- 
lievers, Satan  too  often  makes  sad  inroads  into  their 
peace  and  purity. 

Mr.  Winter,  in  one  of  his  letters,  makes  this  striking 
observation  :  "  Watchfulness  and  prayer  form  the  Chris- 
tian's intrenchment.  These  are  the  lines  our  enemy 
cannot  break.  Be  the  person  who  uses  them  ever  so 
weak  he  will  be  sure  to  stand  ;  be  the  person  who  ne- 


WATCHFULNESS.  281 

gleets  them  ever  so  strong  in  himself,  ever  so  judiciously 
taught,  or  ever  so  extensive  in  his  knowledge,  he  is 
liable  to  fall." 

The  farther  the  experienced  Christian  advances  in  his 
earthly  pilgrimage,  the  more  he  learns  how  needful  to 
his  safety  are  watchfulness  and  prayer 

There  are  some  who  treat  as  legal  this  circumspec- 
tion and  self-distrust.  But  the  real  believer  well  knows, 
that  the  more  lively  his  faith  is,  the  more  alive  he  himself 
is  to  the  motions  of  his  spiritual  enemies,  lest  he  should 
be  overcome  by  some  sudden  temptation. 

There  are  three  evils  against  which  we  should  ear- 
nestly pray  to  be  preserved: — indecision — indifference — 
and  insensibility.  When  the  mind  begins  to  be  first 
affected  with  the  importance  of  religion,  many  things 
are  done,  which  were  before  omitted.  But  no  sooner  is 
the  religious  feeling  of  the  heart  made  known  to  the 
world  by  this  outward  change  of  conduct,  than  the 
artillery  of  Satan  is  directed  against  the  young  pro- 
fessor; and  too  often,  alas!  proves  successful  in  shaking 
the  newly  formed  purpose  of  taking  up  the  cross  and 
following  Christ. 

The  enemy  of  souls  now  plies  his  warlike  engines 
with  Satanic  violence.  Worldly  interest — carnal  ease*-* 
false  shame — the  fear  of  man — the  frowns  of  relations-^- 
and  the  raillery  of  sinful  companions,  are  all  employed 
with  consummate  skill  to  undermine  his  good  resolves. 

These  powerful  attacks,  if  not  resisted  through  the 
energy  of  almighty  grace,  soon  produce  indecision  in 
the  purpose  :  from  indecision,  the  step  is  easy  to  indif- 
ference ;  from  indifference  to  the  voice  of  conscience,  the 
transition  is  quick  to  insensibility  ;  from  insensibility  to 
the  threatenings  of  God,  how  short  is  the  road  to  obdu- 
racy— the  very  seal  of  perdition  ! 

Who  can  contemplate  this  awful  progress  of  declen- 
24* 


282  WATCHFULNESS. 

sion,  and  not  acknowledge  the  immense  importance  of 
watchfulness  and  prayer  1 

There  cannot  be  a  more  humbling  representation  of 
the  fallen  state  of  man,  than  in  the  falls  of  those  emi- 
nent saints  whose  lives  are  recorded  in  the  pages  of 
Scripture.  The  Almighty,  in  his  wisdom,  may  have 
permitted  these  falls,  to  humble  the  best  of  men,  by 
leading  them  to  feel  that  their  steadfastness  in  holiness 
does  not  depend  upon  their  strength,  but  on  his  grace  ; 
that  their  resistance  of  evil  is  not  from  any  natural 
power  of  their  own,  but  entirely  from  the  communicated 
influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  upon  our  hearts. 

When  Noah  lived,  before  the  flood,  he  testified  as  a 
"preacher  of  righteousness"  against  the  prevailing  ini- 
quity of  the  age.  He  walked  with  God  in  faith,  fear, 
love,  and  obedience,  and  found  grace  in  his  sight.  But 
when  safe  in  the  bosom  of  his  family,  a  monument  of 
mercy,  after  the  tremendous  deluge,  he  drank  wine  and 
was  drunken,  and  lay  uncovered  in  his  tent !  Can  this 
be  Noah — the  holy  Noah  1  then  let  him  that  thinketh 
he  standeth,  take  heed  lest  he  fall. 

Lot,  whose  righteous  soul  was  vexed  from  day  to  day 
with  the  filthy  conversation  of  the  wicked,  when  rescued 
by  the  hand  of  meicy  from  the  devoted  cities  of  the  plain, 
and  safely  sheltered  in  the  mountain,  fell  into  the  com- 
bined atrocity  of  drunkenness  and  incest.  This  speaks 
with  awful  voice,  "  be  not  high-minded,  but  fear." 

David,  the  man  after  God's  own  heart,  who  never 
once  defiled  his  soul  by  heathen  worship,  when  raised 
to  the  throne  of  Israel,  and  enjoying  rest  in  his  palace, 
was  enticed  by  deceitful  lusts  into  the  dreadful  sins  of 
adultery  and  murder. 

Solomon,  who  was  honored  with  the  name  of  Jedidiah, 
beloved  of  the  Lord  ;  who  built  a  splendid  temple  for  the 
worship  of  Jehovah,  and  whose  wisdom  attracted  the 


WATCHFULNESS.  283 

Queen  of  Slieba  to  Jerusalem  :  when  grown  old,  and 
after  hiving  witnessed  the  faithfulness  of  God  in  the 
promises  made  to  him  on  ascending  the  throne,  "was 
turned  after  other  gods,"  through  the  allurements  of 
"his  strange  wives;"  and  erected  "high  places"  for  the 
abominations  of  the  heathen.  Surely  we  must  say, 
"Lord,  what  is  man,  that  thou  shouldst  be  mindful  of 
him  !" 

Hezekiah,  so  mercifully  raised  from  a  bed  of  death, 
was  lifted  up  with  pride,  perhaps  on  account  of  the  stu- 
pendous miracle  wrought  on  his  behalf. 

Peter,  so  zealous  and  confident,  denied  his  Lord  with 
oaths  and  curses. 

Abraham,  so  eminent  for  faith,  betrayed  the  evil  of 
mistrust,  showing  that  the  fear  of  man  bringeth  a  snare. 

Jacob,  under  the  semblance  of  piety  and  filial  affec- 
tion, with  a  lie  obtained  his  father's  blessing. 

Moses,  so  renowned  for  meekness,  was  condemned  to 
die  in  the  wilderness,  because  he  spake  unadvisedly 
with  his  lips. 

Aaron,  the  high  priest  of  the  Lord,  made  a  golden 
calf,  around  which  the  people  danced  to  their  shame. 

How  faithful  is  the  pen  of  inspiration  ;  what  indubit- 
able marks  of  divinity  are  stamped  upon  the  holy  Scrip- 
tures !  Here,  Truth  with  impartial  hand  dips  her  pencil, 
now  in  the  brighter,  now  in  the  darker  colors,  and  thus 
draws  her  characters  to  the  very  life.  Here  we  see 
man,  just  as  he  is,  both  by  nature  and  grace.  If  char- 
acters so  eminent  for  holiness  have  been  stained  with 
sin,  where  shall  we  find  sinless  perfection  in  this  lower 
world  ]  All  need  the  blood  of  Jesus  ;  all  need  the  pre- 
serving grace  of  God  ;  all  need  the  constant  exercise  of 
watchlulness  and  prayer. 

Those  who  take  encouragement  from  these  painful 
instances  of  corruption  in  the  best  of  men,  to  trifle  with 


284  WATCHFULNESS. 

sin  ;  who,  like  Ham,  delight  to  sport  with  the  spiritual 
nakedness  of  God's  children  ;  who  despise  the  truths  of 
the  Bible,  because  some  holy  characters  recorded  in  it 
have  been  drawn  by  Satan  and  their  own  hearts  into 
grievous  crimes ;  evidence  a  total  ignorance  of  their 
own  hearts,  and  a  total  destitution  of  that  grace,  which, 
Jirough  the  blessed  truths  of  Scripture,  leads  men  to 
holiness,  to  happiness,  and  heaven. 

Whilst  infidels  tauntingly  expose  the  sins  of  believers, 
let  them  behold  with  solemn  awe  the  displeasure  of  the 
Almighty,  as  manifested  in  their  temporal  afflictions  ; 
and  those  heart-rending  sorrows,  which,  like  piercing 
thorns,  sprang  out  of  their  iniquities.  And  when  be- 
lievers contemplate  these  Scripture  characters,  let  them 
seek  for  grace  to  avoid  their  falls,  and  to  copy  their  un- 
feigned repentance. 

The  all-conquering  Lamb,  who  fought  and  overcame 
Satan  by  dying  upon  the  cross  for  our  redemption,  will 
not  suffer  him  to  exult  with  shouts  of  final  victory.  He 
raises  the  fallen  believer  through  an  act  of  inconceivable, 
unmerited  mercy ;  fills  him  with  shame  and  self-abhor- 
rence ;  leads  him  to  the  fountain  of  his  own  most  precious 
blood  ;  imparts  to  him  a  fresh  supply  of  his  Holy  Spirit; 
and  thui  enables  him  to  renew  the  conflict  with  una- 
bated vigor,  in  deep  humility,  self-distrust,  and  simple 
reliance  on  his  almighty  power,  combined  with  constant 
vigilance  against  the  motions  of  every  inward  and  out- 
ward foe. 

But  the  soul  which  shall  dare  to  presume  upon  such 
mercy,  and  so  indulge  in  sin,  is  in  the  utmost  peril  of 
falling  into  perdition  ;  for  this  very  spirit  of  daring  proves 
a  man  to  be  a  self-deceiver,  an  enemy  of  all  righteousness. 

A  true  believer  may  fall  into  sin ;  but  he  cannot  sin 
on  principle  that  grace  may  abound,  or  because  Jesus 
hath  said,  "  my  sheep  shall  never  perish  ;"  well  know- 


WATCHFULNESS.  285 

ing  that  the  character  of  Christ's  sheep  is,  that  they  hear 
the  Shepherd's  voice  and  follow  him. 

A  true  believer  may  fall  into  sin  ;  but  he  cannot  sin 
habitually,  or  with  continued  delight; — well  knowing 
that  "whosoever  is  born  of  God  doth  not  commit  sin; 
for  his  seed  remaineth  in  him,  and  he  cannot  sin,  because 
he  is  born  of  God."  To  do  so,  would  prove  him  a  hypo- 
crite, and  not  a  child  of  God.  The  grace  of  the  Gospel 
gives  no  license  to  iniquity.  To  imagine  for  a  moment 
that  it  grants  the  slightest  quarter  to  sin,  is  to  cast  a  foul 
reproach  upon  the  spotless  purity  of  that  Holy  Being 
from  whom  all  grace  proceeds. 

That  evil  men  should  abuse  this  revelation  of  mercy, 
is  no  more  marvellous  than  that  they  do  every  hour  abuse 
the  choicest  blessings  of  providence.  It  is  strange  to  think 
how  ill  men  reason,  in  general,  about  spiritual  things. 
They  can  invent  a  thousand  objections  against  what 
they  do  not  love  ;  which  objections  they  would  instantly 
repel,  if  brought  against  some  favorite  worldly  scheme. 

I  perceive,  then,  that  there  is  great  need  to  watch 
against  the  sophistry  of  my  own  mind.  If  I  feel  tempted 
to  parley  with  sin,  to  grow  lukewarm  in  religion,  or  to 
draw  back  into  the  world,  let  me  ask  myself  these  solemn 
questions  : — Is  my  heavenly  Father  less  kind  and  gra- 
cious than  when  I  first  knew  the  Lord  ?  Is  my  Saviour 
less  lovely  and  precious  in  the  eyes  of  saints  and  angels? 
Is  the  Divine  Spirit  less  holy  and  comforting  to  the  tried 
believer  ?  Is  sin  less  hateful  in  the  sight  of  God,  and 
less  destructive  to  the  soul  ?  Is  Satan  less  watchful  and 
subtle  against  the  sheep  of  Christ?  Is  the  world  less 
vain  and  deceitful  in  its  nature  and  pursuits  ?  Is  the 
heart  less  vile  and  treacherous  in  its  inward  workings? 
Is  heaven  less  glorious  and  desirable  to  the  weary  pil- 
grim ?  Is  hell  less  dreadful  and  tormenting  to  the  per- 
ishing sinner  ? 


%&Q  WATCHFULNESS. 

Have  any  of  these  objects  changed  their  nature,  since 
first  the  light  of  truth  broke  in  upon  my  mind  ?  If  not, 
then  why  should  I  begin  to  change  my  views  and  feel- 
ings respecting  them  ?  Why  grow  lukewarm  and  indif* 
ferent?  Oh!  what  need  for  suspicion,  lest  all  should 
not  be  right !  What  need  for  watchfulness,  self-exam- 
ination, and  prayer. 

If  these  realities  are  still  the  same — if  the  truths  of 
God  are  immutable — then  why  should  I  be  less  vigilant, 
less  prayerful,  less  anxious  about  these  infinitely  moment- 
ous truths  ]  Time  is  rapidly  receding;  eternity  is  rapidly 
advancing.  My  state  must  soon  be  irrevocably  fixed  in  a 
world  of  happiness  or  misery.  Then  why  am  I  so  cold,  so 
indifferent  to  the  highest  interests  of  my  immortal  soul? 
Is  it  not  owing  to  the  prevalence  of  inward  corruption, 
and  the  workings  of  Satan  in  my  depraved  heart  ? 

Blessed  Jesus  !  look  in  mercy  upon  a  wretched,  lost 
creature.  Were  I  to  be  crushed,  as  in  a  moment,  and 
sent  quick  into  hell,  it  would  be  righteous  judgment. 
But  thou  art  gracious,  thou  art  full  of  compassion,  thou 
earnest  to  seek  and  to  save  rebellious  sinners. 

Lord,  save  me — help  me — undertake  for  me.  Snatch 
me  as  a  brand  out  of  the  burning.  Deliver  me  from  the 
jaws  of  that  roaring  lion,  who  is  ever  going  about,  seek- 
ing whom  he  may  devour.  Lord,  give  me  not  over  to 
him  as  a  prey.  Suffer  me  not  to  be  carried  captive  by 
him  at  his  will.  Fill  me  with  a  constant  dread  of  sin ; 
make  me  ever  watchful  and  vigilant.  Bear  me  in  thy 
arms  of  love,  through  all  the  dangers  of  my  earthly 
course,  till,  safe  removed  from  every  storm,  I  serve  thee 
in  thy  everlasting  kingdom. 

Oh !  thou  gracious  Friend  of  sinners, 

Sanctify  my  guilty  soul ; 
Speak  the  word,  Almighty  Saviour, 

And  thy  servant  shall  be  whole. 


DANGER    OF    RICHES.  287 

Save  me  from  corruption's  power, 

Save  me  from  Satanic  wiles : 
Spread  thy  guardian  wings  around  me, 

Cheer  me  with  thy  heavenly  smiles. 

As  I  wander  through  the  desert, 

Be  my  constant  help  and  stay: 
Shine  upon  my  path,  and  lead  me 

To  the  realms  of  endless  day. 

Then,  Oh  then,  in  sweetest  rapture, 

Free  from  danger,  loud  I'll  sing, 
In  the  grand  celestial  chorus, 

Glory  to  th'  Immortal  King. 


XLIX. ON    THE    DANGER    OF    RICHES. 

There  is  a  beautiful  harmony  in  the  doctrines  and 
precepts  of  Scripture,  whether  promulged  under  the 
Patriarchal,  Mosaical,  or  Christian  dispensation,  which 
strikingly  proves  its  divine  origin. 

Every  enlightened  reader  of  the  Bible  will  perceive  a 
rich  vein  of  truth  running  through  the  whole  of  the 
sacred  volume.  What  is  obscurely  revealed  under  the 
patriarchal  dispensation,  is  more  fully  made  known  under 
the  Law,  and  exhibited  in  its  brightest  colors  by  the 
Gospel. 

A  short  review  of  the  Scriptures,  with  respect  to  the 
sin  of  covetousness,  will  verify  this  observation. 

Job,  when  vindicating  his  character,  makes  the  fol- 
lowing declaration  :  "  If  I  have  made  gold  my  hope,  or 
have  said  to  the  fine  gold,  thou  art  my  confidence  ;  if  I 
rejoiced,  because  my  wealth  was  great,  and  because  my 
hand  had  gotten  much ;  if  I  beheld  the  sun  when  it 
shined,  or  the  moon  walking  in  brightness ;  and  my 
heart  hath  been   secretly  enticed,  or  my  mouth  hath 


288  DANGER    OF    RICHES. 

kissed  my  hand ;  this  also  were  an  iniquity  to  be  pun- 
ished by  the  judge  ;  for  I  should  have  denied  the  God 
that  is  above."     (Job  xxxi,  24 — 28.) 

We  have  here  the  closest  connexion  between  covet- 
ousness  and  idolatry.  The  two  sins  are  classed  together 
as  twin  evils  springing  from  one  common  source,  the 
unbelief  and  earthliness  of  the  heart. 

This  is  in  strict  accordance  with  the  other  parts  of  the 
sacred  oracle.  St.  Paul  styles  covetousness,  idolatry ; 
(Coloss.  iii,  5  ;)  and  a  covetous  man  an  idolater.  (Ephes, 
v,5.) 

Our  Saviour  explains  the  nature  of  this  idolatry  : 
"  How  hard  is  it  for  them  that  trust  in  riches  to  enter 
into  the  kingdom  of  God  !"   (Mark  x,  24.) 

To  possess  wealth,  when  imparted  in  the  providence 
of  God,  is  not  sinful  ;  for  it  was  said  of  Abraham  by  his 
servant  Eliezer,  "  The  Lord  hath  blessed  my  master 
greatly,  and  he  is  become  great ;  and  he  hath  given 
him  flocks  and  herds,  and  silver  and  gold,  and  men-ser- 
vants and  maid-servants,  and  camels  and  asses." 

But  the  sin  lies  in  trusting  in  these  things  ;  hence  Job 
says,  "  If  I  have  made  gold  my  hope,  or  have  said  to  the 
fine  gold,  thou  art  my  confidence ;  if  I  have  rejoiced  be- 
cause my  wealth  was  great — I  should  have  denied  the  God 
that  is  above." 

David  was  aware  of  the  same  danger  arising  from  the 
possession  of  wealth,  and  he  gives  this  salutary  caution: 
"  If  riches  increase,  set  not  vour  heart  upon  them."  Or 
in  the  words  of  Job,  "  make  them  not  your  hope  and 
your  confidence." 

Solomon  points  out  the  same  evil  :  "  He  that  trusteth 
in  his  riches  shall  fall."     (Pro v.  xi,  28.) 

Moses  strongly  cautions  the  Israelites  against  this  mis- 
use of  temporal  things  :  "  When  the  Lord  thy  God  shall 
have  brought  thee  into  the  land,  which  he  sware  unto 


DANCER    OP    RICHES.  280 

thy  fathers,  to  Abraham,  to  Isaac,  and  to  Jacob,  to  give 
thee  great  and  goodly  cities  which  thou  buildedst  not, 
and  houses  full  of  all  good  things  which  thou  filledst 
not,  and  wells  digged  which  thou  diggedst  not,  vine 
yards  and  olive-trees  which  thou  plantedst  not  ;  when 
thou  shalt  have  eaten  and  be  full,  then  beware  lest 
thou  forget  the  Lord." 

Whence  arises  this  proneness  to  depart  from  God  ; 
this  cleaving  to  earthly  things  1  It  springs  from  the 
fall  of  Adam.  It  is  the  very  fault  and  corruption  of  oar 
nature.  We  are  all  naturally  idolaters,  "  loving  the 
creature  more  than  the  Creator,  who  is  over  all,  blessed 
for  evermore  ;"  and  therefore  this  evil  justly  exposes  us 
to  eternal  death. 

Nothing  but  divine  grace  can  save  us  from  this  idola- 
trous attachment  to  earth.  Who  does  not  daily  feel  its 
influence  1  Oh  !  how  much  I  need  the  sovereign  grace 
of  God  to  wean  my  affections  from  the  world,  and  cause 
me  to  seek  my  all  in  him  !  Herein  consists  true  happi- 
ness. Till  God  in  Christ  be  my  all-sufficient,  my  all- 
satisfying  portion,  I  cannot  be  truly  happy.  A  divided 
heart  must  of  necessity  be  a  wretched  heart. 

Lord,  unite  my  heart  to  fear  thy  name.  Collect  my 
scattered  powers,  and  let  them  work  for  thee  alone.  As 
it  was  with  the  Israelites,  so  may  it  be  with  me.  In  my 
departure  out  of  a  wicked  world,  let  not  "  a  hcof  be  left 
behind."  May  all  that  I  possess  be  wholly  consecrated 
unto  thee. 

Were  we  told  of  some  highly-favored  individual, 
whose  every  desire  after  wealth  and  pleasure  might  be 
gratified  ;  should  we  not  be  ready  to  exclaim,  this  must 
be  a  happy  man?  A  slight  acquaintance  with  human 
character  would  soon  dissipate  this  illusion. 

The  desire  of  more,  which  is  the  very  essence  of  covet- 
ousness,  makes  us  dissatisfied  with  what  we  already 

25 


290  DANGER    OF    RICHES. 

possess  ;  whilst  an  increase  of  possessions,  by  increas- 
ing our  solicitude,  tends  only  to  diminish  our  portion  of 
actual  enjoyment. 

The  experience  of  Solomon,  so  feelingly  described  in 
the  book  of  Ecclesiastes,  speaks  volumes  on  this  subject. 
He  made  the  dangerous  experiment  of  gratifying  his 
desires,  with  an  eagerness  which  could  only  be  equalled 
by  his  means  of  gratification.  "  I  said  to  my  heart,  Go 
to  now,  I  will  prove  thee  with  mirth,  therefore  enjoy 
pleasure."  "  I  gathered  me  also  silver  and  gold,  and 
the  peculiar  treasure  of  kings,  and  of  the  provinces." 
"  Whatsoever  mine  eyes  desired,  I  kept  not  from  them  ;  I 
withheld  not  my  heart  from  any  joy"  "  I  made  great 
works,  so  I  was  great,  and  increased  more  than  all  that 
were  before  me  in  Jerusalem." 

But  what  was  the  fruit  of  such  unbounded  gratifica- 
tion, which  by  thousands  is  esteemed  the  climax  of 
human  happiness  ] 

Hear  the  humiliating  confession  of  Solomon,  than 
whom  no  one  had  ever  a  fairer  opportunity  of  reaping 
happiness,  if  ever  it  sprang  out  of  worldly  pleasure  : 
"  Then  I  looked  on  all  the  works  that  my  hands  had 
made,  and  on  the  labor  that  I  had  labored  to  do  ;  and 
behold  !  all  was  vanity  and  vexation  of  spirit  ;  and 
there  was  no  profit  under  the  sun."  And  after  enumer- 
ating a  variety  of  vanities,  he  closes  his  book  with  these 
important  words  :  "Let  us  hear  the  conclusion  of  the 
whole  matter.  Fear  God  and  keep  his  commandments; 
for  this  is  the  whole  duty  of  man.  For  God  shall  bring 
every  work  into  judgment,  with  every  secret  filing, 
whether  it  be  good,  or  whether  it  be  evil." 

Nothing  is  so  restless  as  the  spirit  of  a  covetous  man. 
He  is  continually  pursuing  after  a  phantom.  Dissatis- 
fied and  miserable,  "he  sows  the  wind,  and  shall  reap 
the  whirlwind  ;  it  hath  no  stalk ;  the  bud  shall  yield  no 


DANGER    OF    RICHES.  291 

meat ;  if  so  be  it  yield,  the  strangers  shall  swallow  it 
up."  "  Surely,  then,  every  man  waiketh  in  a  vain  shew  . 
surely  thev  are  disquieted  in  vain  ;  he  heapeth  up  riches, 
and  knoweth  not  who  shall  gather  them."  Solomon 
felt  this  when  he  said,  "  I  hated  all  my  labor  which  I 
had  taken  under  the  sun :  because  I  shall  leave  it  unto 
the  man  that  shall  be  after  me ;  and  who  knoweth 
whether  he  shall  be  a  wise  man  or  a  fool  ]  This  is  also 
vanity." 

How  contentedly  happy  is  the  child  of  God !  He 
views  every  event  as  directed  by  Infinite  Wisdom  ;  and 
reviews  every  gift  as  the  expression  of  Infinite  Love.  He 
knows  that  God  is  well  acquainted  with  the  nature  of 
his  own  gifts,  and  is  therefore  satisfied  with  the  portion 
which  Infinite  Love  bestows  ;  as  well  as  with  the  dispen- 
sation by  which  Infinite  Wisdom  takes  away.  With 
childlike  acquiescence  in  the  divine  disposals,  he  learns, 
in  whatsoever  state  he  is,  therewith  to  be  content.  He 
labors  not  to  be  rich.  He  finds,  by  experience,  that 
riches  cannot  confer  happiness,  or  health,  or  honor. 
He  sees  many  rich  men  miserable,  and  many  poor  men 
happy.  He  blesses  God  for  his  daily  bread ;  eats  his 
bread  with  gladness  and  singleness  of  heart  ;  and 
praises  God  for  his  hourly  mercies  flowing  to  him 
through  that  precious  medium  of  communication  be- 
tween heaven  and  earth,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  He 
has,  however,  covetous  desires.  He  covets  earnestly  the 
best  gifts.  He  longs  and  labors  to  possess  these  eternal 
blessings,  which  never  cloy,  but  increase  the  joy  and 
happiness  of  the  soul  by  their  increased  possession.  He 
prays  with  fervent  desire  for  the  graces  of  faith  and 
love;  for  humility  and  purity  ;  for  the  indwelling  of  the 
Spirit ;  for  the  presence  of  the  Saviour;  for  the  love  of 
the  Father  ;  for  a  heart  filled  with  all  the  fulness  of  God. 

This   is  the  happy  man,  whose  desires  are  accom- 


292  DANGER    OF    RICHES. 

piished.  He  delights  himself  in  the  Lord,  and  the  God 
of  all  grace  gives  him  the  desires  of  his  heart.  The 
character  of  his  life  is,  contentment  with  moderation  in 
earthly  things,  combined  with  ardent  desires  after  the 
increase  of  spiritual  blessings.  He  is  diligent  in  busi- 
ness as  a  duty ;  fervent  in  spirit  as  a  blessedness ;  active 
in  serving  the  Lord  as  his  highest  honor. 

Oh  !  for  this  contentment,  this  thirsting  after  God, 
this  devotedness  to  his  service  and  glory ! 

He  who  trusts  in  riches,  is  like  one  who  endeavors  to 
repose  upon  the  foam  of  a  tempestuous  sea.  No  sooner 
does  he  throw  himself  upon  it,  than  it  separates,  and  he 
sinks  as  lead  in  the  waters  ;  whilst  he  who  trusteth  in 
the  Lord,  resembles  the  man,  who,  securely  stationed 
upon  a  rock,  sees  the  billows  spend  their  fury  at  his  feet. 
He  views  the  wild  uproar,  and  smiles  at  the  storm. 

la  this  fallen  world,  where  sin  has  planted  sorrows  in 
awful  profusion,  is  it  not  wonderful,  that  creatures,  lia- 
ble to  continual  change,  are  not  solicitous  to  find  a  covert 
from  the  tempest  ?  They  are  anxious,  indeed,  to  obtain 
rest,  but  they  seek  for  it  where  it  never  can  be  found- 
in  earthly  things. 

Men  are  apt  to  imagine,  that  if  they  can  only  amass  a 
fortune,  and  reach  the  hill  of  prosperity,  they  shall  escape 
those  troubles  which  overwhelm  many  who  dwell  in  the 
vale  below.  But  are  not  mountains  the  most  exposed 
to  storms  1  Are  they  not  the  most  bleak  and  barren 
parts  of  the  earth  ?  whilst  the  sheltered  valleys  stand  so 
thick  with  corn,  that,  in  the  poetic  language  of  David, 
"they  laugh  and  sing?" 

History  furnishes  abundant  proofs  that  elevated  sta- 
tions expose  men  to  perpetual  dangers,  and  cause  the 
soul  to  be  barren  in  those  fruits  of  peace,  contentment, 
and  piety,  which  enrich  the  heart  of  the  lowly,  retired 
believer.     Why,  then,  should  I  envy  the  great,  or  labor 


DANGER    OF    RICHES.  293 

to  be  rich  1  Even  if  I  should  happily  escape  the  com- 
mon snares  of  wealth,  yet  death  will  soon  transfer  it 
into  other  hands,  and  then  what  will  all  my  riches  profit, 
if  at  that  solemn  period  I  should  be  destitute  of  faith  and 
love  ?  Lord,  make  me  anxious  for  the  true  riches.  May 
(  daily  lay  up  my  treasure  in  heaven.  May  my  heart  be 
there.  Let  no  idol  be  seated  on  the  throne  of  my  affec- 
tions. Do  thou  reign  the  sovereign  Lord  within.  Oh  ! 
may  all  my  powers  be  subject  unto  thee.  May  I  uwn  no 
sway  but  thine.  All  will  then  be  well.  Whether  prosper- 
ous or  afflicted,  all  things  shall  work  together  for  my  good. 

The  Scriptures  point  out  in  the  strongest  manner  the 
danger  of  riches.  Many  monuments  of  wrath  are  there 
presented  to  our  view.  Achan,  Gehazi,  Judas,  Ananias, 
and  Sapphira,  being  dead,  yet  speak  with  warning  voice. 
The  love  of  money  proved  their  downfall. 

We  all  naturally  love  ease.  We  have  a  natural  love 
of  rest.  Toil  and  pain  are  alike  irksome  to  the  savage 
and  the  sage.  Those  earthly  possessions  which  promise 
the  greatest  portion  of  enjoyment,  are  the  most  coveted 
by  mankind  in  general. 

In  civilized  countries  it  may  be  said,  in  the  expressive 
language  of  Solomon,  "  Money  answereth  all  things." 
It  is  able  to  procure  for  us  those  various  conveniences 
which  tend  to  smooth  the  path  of  life.  It  provides  us 
with  food  and  raiment;  with  innumerable  elegancies 
and  superfluities  ;  with  opportunities  of  extending  our 
researches  after  knowledge,  of  visiting  distant  climes, 
and  treasuring  up  the  labors  of  the  dead.  Money  can 
command  almost  every  thing,  but  what  is  most  essential 
to  our  happiness — peace  of  conscience,  joy  in  God,  and 
victory  over  sin  and  death. 

Here,  then,  arises  the  danger  of  riches.  They  furnish 
us  with  every  requisite  to  earthly  pleasure.  They  give 
us  a  commanding  influence  over  our  poorer  neighbors ; 

25* 


294  DANGER    OF    RICHES. 

and  an  importance  in  the  circle  in  which  we  move. 
Hence  we  secretly  pant  after  their  increase.  They  en- 
gross the  affections ;  they  fill  the  mind  ;  they  captivate 
the  will ;   they  usurp  the  place  of  God  in  the  soul. 

When  riches  flow  into  the  coffer,  trouble  is  never  ap- 
prehended ;  but  when  they  cease  to  flow,  the  darkened 
clouds  seem  rapidly  to  threaten  the  destruction  of  our 
earthly  joys ;  the  smile  then  forsakes  the  worldling's 
countenance  ;  gloom  settles  upon  his  once  laughing  face  ; 
despair  seizes  on  his  heart,  and  death  not  unfrequently 
closes  the  fatal  scene. 

Such  a  state  of  mind  as  this,  infallibly  proves  the  love 
of  money  to  be  the  predominating  passion  in  the  soul. 
And  such  a  state  of  mind  is  incompatible  with  salvation. 

Our  blessed  Lord  has  declared,  in  words  too  plain  to 
be  misunderstood,  "  It  is  easier  for  a  camel  to  go  through 
the  eye  of  a  needle,  than  for  a  rich  man — trusting  in  his 
riches — to  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God."  (Mark  x,  25.) 
St.  Paul  in  like  manner  bears  his  testimony  against  this 
sin  of  our  nature  :  "  Charge  them  that  are  rich  in  this 
world,  that  they  be  not  high-minded,  nor  trust  in  uncer- 
tain riches,  but  in  the  living  God,  who  giveth  us  all 
things  richly  to  enjoy."  He  cautions  believers  most 
solemnly  against  tue  evil  of  covetousness,  by  declaring 
that  "  the  love  of  money  is  the  root  of  all  evil ;  which, 
while  some  coveted  after,  they  have  erred  from  the  faith, 
and  pierced  themselves  through  with  many  sorrows." 

If  true  believers,  we  ought  again  and  again  to  impress 
upon  our  hearts  this  sacred  truth :  that  real  happiness 
consists  in  having  God  for  our  portion;  in  being  satisfied, 
yea,  thankful  for  the  allotments  of  his  providence  ;  in 
feeling  ourselves  to  be  pilgrims  and  strangers  upon  earth, 
hastening  along  the  stream  of  time  to  that  blessed  world, 
where  every  trial  will  be  forgotten  ;  or,  if  remembered, 
will  only,  by  its  recollection,  enhance  our  everlasting  joy 


DANGER    OF    RICHES.  295 

This  state  of  mind,  this  holy  frame  of  heart,  is  the 
work  of  the  Spirit,  the  fruit  of  faith.  "  All  thy  children 
shall  be  taught  of  the  Lord,  and  great  shall  be  the  peace 
of  thy  children."  "  Thou  wilt  keep  him  in  perfect  peace, 
whose  mind  is  stayed  on  thee,  because  he  trusteth  in 
thee."  "  Be  careful  for  nothing,  but  in  every  thing  by 
prayer  and  supplication,  with  thanksgiving,  let  your  re- 
quest be  made  known  unto  God.  And  the  peace  of  God, 
which  passeth  all  understanding,  shall  keep  your  heart 
and  mind  through  Christ  Jesus."  "Our  light  affliction, 
which  is  but  for  a  moment,  worketh  for  us  a  far  more 
exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory,  while  we  look  not 
at  the  things  which  are  seen,  but  at  the  things  which  are 
not  seen ;  for  the  things  which  are  seen  are  temporal, 
but  the  things  which  are  not  seen  are  eternal." 

Oh  blessed  Saviour  !  wean  my  foolish  heart  from  the 
world.  Save  me  from  the  love  of  money,  which  is  spirit- 
ual idolatry.  Raise  my  affections  to  high  and  heavenly 
things.  Be  thou  in  time  and  through  eternity  my  all 
in  all. 

Why,  Oh  my  soul,  should  earthly  joys 

Detain  thee  prisoner  here  below? 
The  richest  gems  are  trifling  toys, 

Compared  with  those  believers  know. 

How  glorious  their  immortal  crowns, 
More  dazzling  bright  than  mid-day  sun 

Jesus  their  happy  souls  adorns 

With  wreaths,  which  he  himself  hath  won. 

How  vain  are  all  the  scenes  of  earth, 

Beneath  their  now  exalted  view  ! 
They  feel  the  honors  of  their  birth, — 

The  friends  of  God,  and  angels  too. 

Oh !  blissful  state  of  holy  joy ! 

Awake,  my  soul,  and  upward  soar; 
Thy  rebel  passions  now  destroy, 

Let  earth  engross  thy  heart  no  more. 


296         THE  THORNS  IN  THE  PARABLE. 

Yet,  Lord !  I  look  alone  to  thee ; 

Exert  thy  sovereign,  saving  power ; 
Oh!  set  my  captive  spirit  free; 

Be  this  redemption's  joyful  hour ! 


L. ON    THE    THORNS    IN    THE    PARABLE. 

In  the  instructive  parable  of  the  sower,  our  divine 
Redeemer,  who  spake  as  never  man  spake,  has  dis- 
covered to  us  the  nature  of  those  thorns  which  choke 
and  render  unfruitful  the  good  seed  of  the  word  of  God. 
"  And  that  which  fell  among  the  thorns  are  they,  which, 
when  they  have  heard,  go  forth,  and  are  choked  with 
cares,  and  riches,  and  pleasures  of  this  life,  and  bring  no 
fruit  to  perfection." 

Worldly  cares  are  thorns. 

If  we  are  careful  and  troubled  about  many  things; 
anxious  about  the  events  of  to-morrow,  and  forecasting 
evils  which  have  no  existence  but  in  our  own  minds,  we 
are  sowing  tares  and  thorns,  which  must  of  necessity 
destroy  all  the  vigor  and  fruitfulness  of  the  Gospel  seed. 

The  work  of  faith  is  to  perform  present  duty;  and 
then  leave  the  issue  with  God,  who  worketh  all  things 
after  the  counsel  of  his  own  will.  We  have  no  power 
over  the  varied  events  of  life.  Circumstances  arise 
which  cannot  be  foreseen,  nor  prevented  if  foreseen. 
Prudence  may  lay  her  plans,  but  he  who  ruleth  on  high 
can  thwart  them  all.  "  There  are  many  devices  in  a 
man's  heart ;  nevertheless,  the  counsel  of  the  Lord,  that 
shall  stand."  It  is,  then,  the  part  of  Christian  wisdom 
to  obey  the  beautiful  precept  of  Solomon  :  "  Trust  in  the 
Lord  with  all  thine  heart,  and  lean  not  to  thine  own 


THE    THORNS    IN    THE    PARABLE.  297 

understanding.     In  all  thy  ways  acknowledge  him,  and 
he  shall  direct  thy  paths." 

In  such  a  world  as  this,  which  is  made  up  of  vicissi- 
tude and  perturbation,  how  highly  privileged  is  the  man 
who  can  say  with  David,  "The  Lord  is  my  rock,  and 
my  fortress,  and  my  deliverer :  my  God,  my  strength  in 
whom  I  will  trust,  my  buckler,  the  horn  also  of  my  sal- 
vation, and  my  high  tower." 

How  calm  is  that  soul  whose  cares  are  laid  upon  God! 
This  is  the  Christian's  privilege  :  "Casting  all  your  care 
upon  him,  for  he  careth  for  you."  "  Cast  thy  burden 
upon  the  Lord,  and  he  will  sustain  thee." 

Oh  my  soul,  remember  who  it  is  that  invites  thee  to 
this  rest.  It  is  Jesus — the  friend  of  sinners.  How  affec- 
tionate is  his  invitation  :  "Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that 
labor  and  are  heavy-laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest." 

Cares  are  vexatious  to  a  worldly  mind.  Afflictions  are 
viewed  as  so  many  suspensions  of  worldly  happiness. 
Poverty  is  dreaded  as  the  greatest  worldly  evil ;  and 
even  religion  itself  is  treated  as  an  enemy,  because  it 
demands  the  separation  of  the  heart  from  worldly  lusts 
and  pleasures. 

And  yet,  it  is  owing  to  the  absence  of  true  religion, 
that  the  varied  dispensations  of  Providence  become 
crosses.  We  meet  them  in  an  unsubdued  frame  of 
spirit.  We  murmur  and  rebel  against  the  correcting 
hand  of  our  heavenly  Father,  and  thus  render  that 
burden  heavy,  and  that  yoke  grievous,  which  would 
otherwise  be  easy  and  light.  Whilst  in  this  unhappy 
state  of  mind,  we  hear  the  Gospel  with  perpetual  distrac- 
tion. The  cares  of  life,  like  prickling  thorns,  cover  the 
ground  of  our  heart,  and  prevent  the  good  seed  from 
springing  up  and  bearing  fruit  to  the  glory  of  God. 

Oh  blessed  Spirit  !  awaken  my  soul  to  a  due  solicitude 
about  my  everlasting  state.     Let  me  not  be  sowing  tares, 


298         THE  THORNS  IN  THE  PARABLE. 

whilst  thy  ministers  are  sowing  wheat.  Let  not  my 
foolish  heart  by  worldly  cares  choke  the  precious  seed  of 
holy  truth.  Make  me  watchful  and  vigilant.  Break 
up  the  fallow  ground  of  my  heart  by  deep  and  abiding 
convictions,  that  I  may  no  longer  sow  among  thorns,  but 
yield  abundant  fruit  to  the  praise  of  the  glory  of  thy 
grace. 

Riches  are  thorns. 

What  can  riches,  so  coveted  after  by  the  world,  do  for 
wretched  man,  simply  considered  in  themselves'?  They 
cannot  produce  happiness.  How  many  families,  overladen 
with  wealth,  are  made  unhappy  by  the  very  wealth 
which  they  possess  !  They  cannot  insure  usefulness.  How 
many  persons  do  we  continually  see,  who,  with  the  most 
extensive  means  of  usefulness,  are  little  better  than  cum- 
berers  of  the  ground  !  They  cannot  promote  health.  How 
many  are  rendered  the  victims  of  disease,  by  the  facility 
which  wealth  affords  for  gratifying  their  carnal  appetites 
and  luxurious  inclinations!  They  cannot  prolong  life. 
How  many  are  cut  off  in  the  midst  of  their  splendor, 
when  they  were  fondly  promising  to  themselves  a  long 
succession  of  joyous  years  ! 

If  riches  cannot  procure  temporal  blessings :  if  they 
cannot,  by  their  mere  possession,  even  to  their  greatest 
extent,  make  us  happy  in  ourselves,  or  useful  to  others: 
if  they  cannot  promote  health,  or  prolong  life  :  how  much 
less  can  they  procure  spiritual  or  eternal  blessings  :  the 
pardon  of  sin ;  peace  with  God ;  purity  of  heart ;  and 
perpetuity  of  bliss  in  heaven ! 

And  yet,  wealth  is  the  grand  desideratum  of  the  world. 
To  obtain  riches,  men  are  willing  to  risk  the  loss  of  soul 
and  all  the  glories  of  heaven.  The  nominally  Christian 
world  is  bowing  down  to  the  golden  image  which  Satan 
hath  set  up,  whilst  all  kinds  of  music  are  employed  to 
celebrate  its  praise. 


THE    THORNS    IN    THE    PARABLE.  299 

Even  real  professors  of  godliness  have  need  to  watch 
continually  against  the  seductive  influence  of  the  god 
of  this  world.  He  can  paint  upon  the  imagination  the 
shadowy  glories  of  the  world,  and  then  whisper  to  the 
soui,  "  all  these  will  I  give  thee,  if  thou  wilt  fall  down 
and  worship  me." 

But  Truth  lifts  up  her  warning  voice  to  guard  her 
children  against  the  snares  of  this  father  of  lies:  "  They 
that  will  be  rich  fall  into  temptation  and  a  snare,  and 
into  many  foolish  and  hurtful  lusts,  which  drown  men  in 
destruction  and  perdition.  For  the  love  of  money  is  the 
root  of  all  evil;  which,  while  some  coveted  after,  they 
have  erred  from  the  faith,  and  pierced  themselves  through 
with  many  sorrows." 

Our  blessed  Lord,  whose  love  is  infinite,  has  given  us 
a  double  caution  :  "  take  heed — and  beware — of  covet- 
ousness ;  for  a  man's  life  consisteth  not  in  the  abundance 
of  the  things  which  he  possesseth."  And  St.  Paul, 
writing  under  the  influence  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  ex- 
horts us  to  "  let  our  conversation  be  without  covetous- 
ness,  and  to  be  content  with  such  things  as  we  have, 
since  God  hath  said  :  I  will  never  leave  thee  nor  for- 
sake thee." 

Riches,  when  loved  and  coveted  after,  become  our 
idols.  And  even  when  they  do  not  captivate  the  affec- 
tions, they  will  soon  choke  the  precious  seed  of  divine 
truth,  if  not  carefully  guarded  against. 

Hence  our  Lord  calls  it  "  the  deceitfulness  of  riches." 
They  draw  away  the  heart  insensibly  from  God,  and 
then  they  become  a  curse,  and  not  a  blessing.  Many 
who,  whilst  in  the  valley  of  humiliation,  adorned  the 
Gospel  and  labored  with  unwearied  diligence  to  promote 
its  extension,  have  become  lukewarm  when  wealth  has 
filled  their  coffers. 

These  characters   present  an  awful  instance  of  the 


300         THE  THORNS  IN  THE  PARABLE. 

danger  of  worldly  prosperity,  and  should  make  every 
professor  of  the  Gospel  tremble,  lest,  when  riches  increase, 
his  heart  should  be  lifted  up,  and  he  forget  the  Lord  his 
God.  Worldly  prosperity  is  almost  always  followed  by 
declension.  How  many  Christian  families,  once  the 
ornaments  of  the  church,  have,  in  their  posterity,  lost  all 
semblance  of  piety  through  the  growing  prosperity  which 
attended  their  secular  concerns. 

Oh  blessed  Lord,  give  me  grace  to  covet  earnestly  the 
best  gifts,  even  the  unsearcbable  riches  of  Christ ;  to 
labor  after  the  attainment  of  those  riches  whose  value 
can  never  be  fully  known  in  this  lower  world ;  but  after 
which,  all,  without  exception,  are  graciously  invited  to 
seek,  that  they  may  obtain  everlasting  life. 

Blessed  Jesus  !  thou  pearl  of  great  price,  be  thou  my 
treasure. 

"  Give  what  thou  wilt ;  without  thee,  I  am  poor ; 
And  with  thee,  rich  ;  take  what  thou  wilt  away." 

Worldly  pleasures  are  thorns. 

Man  has  a  natural  thirst  after  happiness ;  but,  being 
blinded  through  the  fall,  and  having  all  his  appetites 
vitiated,  he  is  continually  seeking  that  from  the  world 
which  can  only  be  found  in  God. 

Fallen  man,  like  Cain  of  old,  is  a  fugitive.  He  is 
ever  flying  from  the  presence  of  his  Creator,  who  is  the 
source  and  centre  of  true  felicity.  He  is  daily  commit- 
ting two  evils  :  "  forsaking  the  fountain  of  living  waters, 
and  hewing  out  to  himself  broken  cisterns  which  can 
hold  no  water." 

Hence  he  is  miserable  whilst  in  quest  of  happiness. 
He  drinks  of  the  intoxicating  wine  of  carnal  gratifica- 
tion ;  revels  for  a  time  in  sensual  pleasure  ;  and  if  he 
awaken  to  sober  recollection,  feels  a  thousand  stings, 
which  too  often  drive  him  to  despair  and  death. 

Consistent  professors  of  godliness  readily  allow  the 


THE    THORNS    IN    THE    PARABLE.  301 

sinfulness  of  gross  sensual  indulgences,  and  of  such 
worldly  amusements  as  lead  directly  to  the  violation  of 
chaste  feeling,  or  into  the  vortex  of  fashionable  dissi- 
pation. 

There  are,  however,  pleasures  of  a  sober  and  innocent 
kind,  which,  from  their  friendly  aspect,  are  unsuspect- 
edly  admitted  into  the  heart,  and,  like  the  "little  foxes, 
spoil  the  vines."  Few  seem  to  recollect  that  even  law- 
ful pleasures,  when  too  eagerly  pursued,  become  sources 
of  pain,  by  secretly  alienating  the  heart  from  God. 

Hence  serious  Christians  have  need  to  guard  against 
giving  too  much  of  their  mind  and  time  to  those  pursuits 
which  may  insensibly  draw  them  off  from  private  devo- 
tion and  the  daily  duties  of  social  life.  The  acquire- 
ments of  music  and  drawing,  as  well  as  the  prosecution 
of  literary  and  philosophical  studies,  are  lawful  and 
agreeable  when  pursued  in  subservience  to  that  great 
end  of  life  so  plainly  enforced  by  the  apostle  :  "  Whether 
ye  eat  or  drink,  or  whatever  ye  do,  do  all  to  the  glory 
of  God."  Religion  does  not  forbid  the  improvement  of 
our  intellectual  faculties;  it  only  guards  us  against  their 
abuse. 

Lawful  things  are  not  always  expedient ;  and,  if 
abused  or  used  to  excess,  they  become  injurious. 

Society  is  pleasant ;  yet  it  becomes  a  snare,  if  it  lead 
us  from  our  secret  chamber  by  its  incessant  attractions, 
and  thus  make  us  strangers  to  God  and  our  own  hearts. 

We  are  everywhere  surrounded  with  danger.  Each 
pleasure  has  its  poison,  and  each  sweet  its  snare.  And 
yet,  how  fleeting !  Worldly  delights  resemble  the  rose, 
which  droops  almost  as  soon  as  gathered.  Our  blessed 
Lord  warns  us  against  those  pleasures  which  too  fre- 
quently choke  the  word,  as  thorns  do  the  growing  plant. 
The  enemy  knows  this  well;  and,  therefore,  when  young 
people,  especially,  begin  to  feel  their  consciences  awa- 

26 


302  THE    THORNS    IN    THE    PARABLE. 

kened  under  the  faithful  preaching  of  the  Gospel,  he 
stirs  up  their  carnal  friends  to  carry  them  into  the  vari- 
ous gayeties  of  life,  that  the  incipient  workings  of  divine 
grace  may  be  destroyed  in  the  verjr  germ. 

Oh!  then,  let  us  be  upon  our  guard,  not  only  against 
distracting  cares  and  deceitful  riches,  but  also  against 
delusive  pleasures,  which,  by  their  smiling  face  and 
winning  form,  would  steal  away  our  hearts,  and  rob  us 
of  eternal  glory. 

Worldly  pleasures,  like  Solomon's  many  wives,  entice 
the  soul  to  idolatrous  attachments  and  departure  from 
God.  There  are,  however,  pleasures  pure  and  peaceful, 
holy  and  heavenly,  which  never  cloy  or  injure  the 
believer. 

Communion  with  God  in  Christ — the  enjoyment  of 
the  divine  favor,  through  faith  in  the  blood  of  Jesus — 
the  varied  exercises  in  reading,  meditation,  and  prayer — 
the  society  of  experienced  Christians — visiting  the  sick 
— instructing  the  young — relieving  the  poor  and  needy 
— pouring  the  balm  of  consolation  into  the  troubled 
breast — directing  the  wanderer  to  Jesus — restoring  the 
dackslider — reproving  the  profane — promoting  peace — 
and  supporting  by  active  and  pecuniary  exertions  those 
noble  institutions  which  bless  our  happy  land — form 
so  many  streams  of  pleasure,  which  at  once  refresh  and 
fructify  the  soul. 

If  to  these  are  added  the  duties  of  our  calling,  the 
endearments  of  domestic  life,  the  well-timed  relaxations 
of  music,  painting,  and  gardening,  with  the  higher  grati- 
fications of  mental  study ;  where,  we  may  ask,  is  the 
want  of  enjoyment  to  the  real  Christian  1  He  wants 
not  the  vanity  of  the  ball-room ;  the  irritations  of  the 
card-table  ;  the  pollutions  of  the  theatre  ;  the  snares  of 
the  race-ground;  the  frivolity  of  routs;  nor  the  debauch- 
cries  of  the  club. 


THE    THORNS    IN    THE    PARABLE.  303 

If  poor,  lie  socks  not  for  the  noisy  mirth  of  the  ale- 
house, which  cuds  in  rags  and  misery;  he  is  happy  in 
the  bosom  of  his  family,  with  his  Bible  and  his  God. 

Oh  th;il  my  thirst  may  daily  increase  for  the  holy 
enjoyment  of  pure  and  undeiiled  religion! 

How  insipid  are  the  boasted  pleasures  of  the  world, 
when  compared  with  these  soul-reviving  delights,  which 
a  God  of  mercy  hath  provided  for  the  entertainment  of 
Christian  pilgrims  ! 

Blessed  Jesus  !  fill  my  soul  with  thy  presence,  and 
then  I  shall  never  want  a  stream  of  pure  delight,  whilst 
journeying  through  this  barren  wilderness  to  the  heav- 
enly Canaan.  Let  no  cares  disturb  my  peace,  no  riches 
inveigle  my  affections,  no  pleasures  enchain  my  heart. 
Like  the  wise  husbandman,  do  thou  in  mercy  eradicate 
every  noxious  thorn,  and  prepare  me  by  thy  Spirit  to 
receive  and  cherish  the  good  word  of  thy  grace,  that  I 
may  bring  forth  fruit  a  hundred-fold,  to  the  glory  of  thy 
holy  name. 

TouchM  by  a  sense  of  love  divine, 

Thy  goodness,  Lord,  I  feel; 
What  joy  to  call  tho  Saviour  mine! 

Of  endless  joys  the  seal ! 

Though  round  my  path  a  thousand  snares 

Are  laid  by  Satan's  art; 
Though  oft  assail'd  by  earth-born  cares, 

Those  traitors  of  the  heart : 

Yet  still,  dear  Lord,  beneath  thy  smiles, 

A  hcav'n  of  joy  appears ; 
While  faith  the  weary  way  beguiles, 

And  hope  the  prospect  cheers. 

If,  through  affliction's  darksome  vale, 

I  downward  bend  my  way, 
Oh!   may  thy  comforts  never  fail 

To  shed  their  cheering  ray. 


304  RICH    MAN    AND    LAZARUS. 

Or,  should  I  mount  the  dangerous  steep, 
Where  earthly  honors  shine, 

Upheld  by  thee,  nor  height,  nor  deep, 
Shall  part  my  love  from  thine. 

Whate'er  I  be,  or  rich  or  poor, 
I'll  trust  thy  saving  name ; 

To  all  the  seed  thy  word  is  sure, 
To  all  who  love  the  Lamb. 

Oh !  let  me  taste  thy  goodness  more, 
Each  moment  as  it  flies ; 

Till,  landed  safe  on  Canaan's  shore, 
Where  glory  never  dies, 


I  see  my  Saviour  face  to  face, 
Without  a  veil  between ; 

And  sing  loud  praises  to  his  grace, 
Who  saved  my  soul  from  sin ! 


LI, ON  THE  PARABLE  OF  THE  RICH  MAN  AND  LAZARUS. 

The  parables  of  our  Saviour  are  full  of  wisdom  and 
beauty.  The)^  are  intended  to  convey  some  great  truth, 
to  which  the  various  appendages  are  in  general  to  be 
considered  rather  as  natural  accompaniments  than  as 
each  requiring  a  forced  or  fanciful  interpretation.  We 
should,  therefore,  endeavor  to  ascertain  what  was  the 
primary  object  which  our  Lord  had  in  view,  when  he 
delivered  these  exquisitely  beautiful  lessons  of  divine 
truth,  that  we  may  derive  that  instruction  which  is 
inculcated  by  them. 

The  parables  of  the  net,  containing  good  and  bad 
fishes;  of  the  ten  virgins,  five  of  whom  were  wise,  and 
five  foolish  ;  of  the  marriage  feast,  where  one  guest  was 
found  without  a  wedding  garment ;  of  the  tares  which 


RICH    MAN    AND    LAZARUS.  305 

sprang  up  amongst  the  wheat ;  of  the  vine  with  fruitful 
and  barren  branches  :  are  all  designed  to  show,  that,  in 
the  visible  church,  the  righteous  and  the  wicked  will 
live  together,  until  the  general  separation  at  the  day  of 
judgment. 

The  parables  of  the  seed  springing  up  imperceptibly ; 
of  the  grain  of  mustard  seed,  growing  from  the  smallest 
seed  to  a  great  tree ;  of  the  leaven,  secretly  working  till 
the  whole  lump  is  leavened ;  beautifully  point  out  the 
progress  of  the  Gospel  throughout  the  earth. 

The  parables  of  the  lost  sheep,  of  the  lost  piece  of 
money,  and  of  the  prodigal  son,  reveal  to  us,  in  the  most 
affecting  mannei,  the  great  love  of  God  in  coming  to 
seek  and  to  save  that  which  was  lost;  the  readiness 
with  which  he  receives  returning  sinners ;  and  the  joy 
which  angels  feel  at  the  salvation  of  men. 

The  parables  of  the  great  supper  and  of  the  husbandman 
in  the  vineyard  most  strikingly  show  how  men  in  general, 
and  the  Jews  in  particular,  to  whom  our  Lord  then 
addressed  himself,  despise  the  offers  of  divine  mercy, 
and  persecute  the  faithful  servants  of  God  who  speak  to 
them  in  his  name. 

The  parables  of  the  treasure  in  the  field  and  of  the 
pearl  of  great  price,  call  upon  us,  from  the  common  feel- 
ing of  worldly  prudence,  like  the  wise  merchantman, 
to  part  with  a  smaller  possession  for  one  of  superior 
value  ;  to  give  up  the  trifles  of  time  for  the  glories  of 
eternity. 

The  parables  of  the  ten  pounds,  of  the  talents,  and  of 
the  sheep  and  goats,  speak  directly  to  the  heart,  and  are 
calculated  to  produce  the  deepest  concern  respecting 
that  strict  account  which  we  must  render  of  every  talent 
committed  to  our  trust. 

The  parable  of  the  barren  fig-tree  exemplifies  the  divine 
forbearance,  through  the  intercession  of  Jesus. 

2G* 


306  RICH    MAN    AND    LAZARUS. 

The  good  Samaritan  beautifully  enforces  the  extensive 
duty  of  loving  our  neighbor  as  ourselves. 

The  unmerciful  servant  is  a  faithful  picture  of  the 
divine  compassion,  and  of  man's  hard-heartedness  and 
ingratitude. 

The  unjust  judge,  by  way  of  contrast,  conveys  conso- 
lation to  the  suffering  church  under  all  her  protracted 
trials.  If  this  judge,  so  unjust,  avenged  the  poor  widow 
because  she  wearied  him,  shall  not  a  God  of  justice 
much  more  avenge  his  own  elect,  though  he  bear  long 
with  them  ] 

The  Pharisee  and  the  publican  gives  us  a  striking  view 
of  spiritual  pride  and  spiritual  humility. 

The  laborers  in  the  vineyard  is  full  of  comfort  to  the 
Gentile  world,  who  shall  be  called  by  the  Gospel,  even 
though  it  be  at  the  eleventh  hour,  into  the  church  of 
God. 

The  two  sons  very  pertinently  shows  the  vast  differ- 
ence between  saying  and  doing. 

The  two  debtors,  spoken  to  Simon  the  Pharisee,  and 
which,  from  its  simplicity,  drew  from  him  the  confession, 
that  he  would  love  the  most  to  whom  the  most  was 
forgiven,  proves  how  pardoning  mercy  melts  the  heart 
into  love. 

The  sower,  by  its  beauty  and  perfect  adaptation  to  the 
human  heart,  is  calculated  to  enlighten  every  mind  in 
quest  of  truth,  respecting  those  hinderances  which  pre- 
vent our  profitable  hearing  of  the  Word  of  God. 

The  servant  waiting  for  his  Lord  shows  us  in  what  pos- 
ture every  believer  should  be  ;  not  sleeping,  not  rioting, 
but  diligently  waiting  to  meet  his  Lord  at  his  coming. 

The  rich  fool,  addressed  to  the  man  who  so  unseasona- 
bly interrupted  our  Saviour  in  his  discourse,  manifests 
the  folly  of  heaping  up  treasure  to  ourselves,  instead  of 
laboring  to  be  rich  towards  God. 


RICH    MAN    AND    LAZARUS.  307 

So,  in  like  manner,  the  parable  of  the  rich  man  and 
Lazarus  contains  much  valuable  instruction,  on  a  sub- 
ject which  men  in  general  treat  with  awful  indifference 
— the  realities  of  a  future  world. 

This  very  impressive  parable  teaches  us  : 

1.  That  riches  and  poverty  are  no  sign  either  of  God's 
favor  or  displeasure.  His  enemies  often  abound  in  tem- 
poral mercies;  his  friends  in  temporal  affliction.  (19, 
20,  21  verses.)  His  enemies  grow  harder  under  the 
beams  of  prosperity.  His  friends  are  softened  and 
melted  in  the  furnace  of  adversit)^.  Hence  the  latter 
pant  more  ardently  after  heaven  ;  the  former  cleave 
more  closely  to  the  earth. 

2.  That  death  is  making  steady  advances  towards  all, 
both  rich  and  poor.  (22  verse.)  The  rich  man's  wealth 
could  not  bribe  death,  nor  avert  his  blow.  The  poor 
man's  poverty  did  not  cause  him  to  be  overlooked  as  too 
insignificant  for  the  notice  of  this  general  destroyer. 

3.  That  our  state  in  the  next  world  has  no  connexion 
with  our  outward  condition  in  this.  (23  verse.)  Here, 
the  rich  man  fared  sumptuously  every  day  ;  there,  he 
was  destitute  of  a  drop  of  water  to  cool  his  tongue. 
Here,  Lazarus  was  hungry  and  wretched  ;  there,  he  was 
blessed  and  happy  in  Abraham's  bosom. 

4.  That  there  is  no  mitigation  of  pain  in  hell.  (24 
and  25  verses.)  Not  one  drop  of  water  could  be  allowed 
by  inexorable  justice  to  alleviate  his  sufferings,  or  allay 
the  intensity  of  the  flame. 

5.  That  the  torments  of  hell  are  eternal.  (26  v.)  A 
great  gulf  is  fixed,  which  for  ever  prevents  escape  from 
hell,  or  relief  from  heaven.  Oh  wretched  state  of  un- 
utterable wo ! 

6.  That  the  soul  in  hell  is  in  a  state  of  consciousness. 
(27,  28  v.)  The  rich  man  looked  back  and  remembered 
his  former  life  and  connexions.     He  had  five  brethren. 


308  RICH    MAN    AND    LAZARUS. 

He  dreaded  their  coming  into  the  same  place  of  tor- 
ment ;  knowing,  probably,  that  his  example  had  helped 
forwards  their  impiety.  He  anticipated  only  five  addi- 
tional tormentors. 

7.  That  the  appearance  of  a  spirit  would  not  convert 
a  soul.  (29  to  31  v.)  Conversion  is  the  work  of  God. 
He  has  appointed  means  for  this  blessed  end.  "  If  they 
hear  not  Moses  and  the  prophets,  neither  will  they  be 
persuaded,  though  one  rose  from  the  dead."  Lord  ! 
make  me  wise  in  time,  that  I  may  be  happy  in  eternity  ! 

This  parable  speaks  at  once  to  the  understanding,  the 
conscience,  and  the  heart.  Yet,  it  is  painful  to  think 
how  little  the  human  mind  is  affected  by  the  most  awful 
truths  of  revelation.  Persons  who  profess  to  believe  in 
the  divine  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  who 
would  on  no  account  be  deemed  infidels,  can  and  do  act, 
from  day  to  day,  as  if  futurity  were  ideal,  and  all  the 
promises  and  threatenings  of  the  Bible  without  a  mean- 
ing. If  their  earthly  prospects  are  likely  to  be  blasted 
by  some  improvident  connexion,  and  they  are  timely 
forewarned  of  the  coming  danger,  how  anxious  a*e  they 
to  avail  themselves  of  such  friendly  intimation,  placing 
the  most  implicit  reliance  upon  the  veracity  of  their  in- 
formant, and  acting  promptly  and  decidedly  upon  it. 
But  the  reverse  is  the  case,  as  it  respects  their  spiritual 
concerns.  They  are  forewarned  and  admonished  in 
vain.  They  hope  things  will  end  better  than  religious 
people  imagine ;  and  thus  madly  venture  upon  the 
awful  issue,  rather  than  act  as  in  temporal  matters  they 
would  have  acted.  With  all  their  boasted  faith,  they 
are  practical  unbelievers.  They  acknowledge  the  vera- 
city of  Scripture,  but  refuse  to  obey  its  dictates.  "  They 
have  loved  idols,  and  after  them  they  will  go." 

The  state  of  Christendom,  it  is  to  be  feared,  too  much 
resembles  this  picture.     There  is  a  verbal  veneration  for 


RICH    MAN    AND    LAZARUS.  309 

the  word  of  God,  combined  with  a  secret  aversion  to  its 
holy  requirements. 

But  what  is  faith  without  works  1  No  better  than  a 
tree  destitute  of  its  fruit.  The  faith  of  God's  elect  is 
according  to  godliness.  The  word  of  truth  must  not 
only  be  believed,  but  practised  ;  not  only  acknowledged, 
but  felt.  Its  awful,  its  consoling,  its  purifying  doctrines 
must  have  a  transforming  influence  on  the  heart.  Then, 
and  only  then,  will  the  believer  be  made  clean,  being 
sanctified  by  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

This  change  constitutes  the  characteristic  difference 
between  the  nominal  professor  of  Christianity  and  the 
real  believer.     They  are  known  by  their  fruits. 

It  is  truly  surprising  that  the  human  heart  is  so  little 
impressed  with  the  nearness  of  eternity.  This  insensi- 
bility only  proves  the  powerful  prevalence  of  unbelief. 
A  very  slight  accident  or  disease,  if  it  affects  a  vital  part 
of  our  frame,  soon  dissolves  the  natural  union  between 
soul  and  body. 

We  are  constantly  walking  upon  the  very  borders  of 
the  invisible  world,  where  all  is  unchangeable  and  eter- 
nal ;  yet  we  live  as  if  time  would  never  end;  or,  at  least, 
as  if  its  termination  were  very  distant  from  us.  This  can 
arise  only  from  the  earthliness  of  our  hearts;  from  the 
astonishing  power  which  visible  objects  have  over  us  ; 
and  from  the  small  influence  which  things  unseen  and 
future  have  upon  our  hopes  and  fears.  But  this  small 
influence  springs  solely  from  unbelief.  We  know  that 
we  must  die;  and  yet  we  live  as  if  we  did  not  believe  it. 
We  know  that  life  is  uncertain  ;  and  yet  we  lay  our 
plans  for  years  to  come,  as  if  nothing  were  so  certain  as 
our  continuance  here.  We  profess  to  believe  that  God 
will  render  unto  every  man  according  to  his  works;  and 
yet  we  act  as  if  our  works  would  never  be  noticed  in  the 
day  of  general  retribution.     We  acknowledge  that  out 


310  THE    THREE    ENEMIES. 

of  Christ  there  is  no  salvation  ;  that  without  holiness 
no  man  shall  see  the  Lord ;  and  yet  we  neglect  the 
Saviour,  and  treat  the  work  of  grace  upon  the  heart  as 
fanatical  and  delusive. 

Lord,  what  is  man  !  What  a  compound  of  contrarie- 
ties and  inconsistencies  !  Oh  give  me  a  heart  devoted 
to  thy  glory,  broken  off  from  sin,  and  weaned  from  the 
world. 

Dear  Jesus,  to  thy  cross  I  bring 

This  treach'rous  heart  of  mine ; 
Oh  save  me  from  the  serpent's  sting, 

And  make  me  wholly  thine. 

From  unbelief  and  inward  guile 

Oh !  keep  my  conscience  clear ; 
'Midst  ev'ry  deep  Satanic  wile, 

Preserve  my  heart  sincere. 

Whate'er  I  am,  or  wish  to  do, 

Whate'er  my  thoughts  devise, 
Is  all  exposed  to  thy  view, 

Though  hid  from  mortal  eyes. 

Whene'er  my  devious  footsteps  stray, 

May  I  remember  thee ; 
And  know,  through  all  the  dang^ous  way, 

That  "  Thou,  God,  seest  me." 


LII. ON    THE    THREE    ENEMIES. 

Why  are  so  many  souls  deceived  and  plunged  into 
destruction?  Because  they  will  not  consider.  Want  of 
consideration  is  one  of  the  fruitful  sources  of  human 
misery.     "  My  people  do  not  consider." 

A  thoughtless  mind  is  one  of  the  characteristics  of  that 
broad  road  which  leadeth  to  destruction  ;  whilst  anxious 


THE    THREE    ENEMIES.  311 

inquiry,  a  solicitous  concern,  a  serious  consideration  about 
eternal  things,  is  the  first  step,  through  grace,  into  that 
narrow  way  which  leadeth  unto  life  eternal. 

Give  me,  blessed  Saviour,  a  thoughtful,  serious,  re- 
flecting mind  ;  a  deep  sight  into  myself;  a  watchful  eye 
over  my  spiritual  enemies  ;  an  unshaken  confidence  in 
thee. 

From  the  word  of  God,  and  my  own  experience,  I  find 
that  there  are  three  powerful  enemies,  which  are  inces- 
santly laboring  to  destroy  my  soul. 

The  first  is  the  world.  Being  rescued  from  its  snares, 
through  the  mighty  power  of  God,  it  still  seeks  to  effect 
my  ruin  : — 1.  By  its  smiles  ; — hoping  thereby  to  win  me 
back  again,  and  allure  my  poor,  vain  heart  by  its  soft, 
seductive  influence.  This  is  a  most  dangerous  tempta- 
tion, and  few  withstand  its  force.  2.  By  its  frowns  ;— 
thinking  thereby  to  terrify  my  soul,  and  cause  me  to 
renounce  the  faith  of  Jesus,  rather  than  suffer  affliction 
with  the  people  of  God  for  a  season.  Lord,  strengthen 
my  faith,  and  arm  me  for  the  combat.  3.  By  placing 
before  my  eyes  its  riches,  honors,  and  pleasures  ; — to 
captivate  my  affections,  and  wean  me  from  the  unseen 
glories  of  a  future  wTorld.  Fatal  temptation  !  "  Demas 
hath  forsaken  me,"  said  St.  Paul,  "  having  loved  this 
present  evil  world."  To  withdraw  the  affections  from 
the  things  of  time  ;  to  sit  loosely  even  to  lawful  enjoy- 
ments ;  and  to  wait  with  anxious  desire  for  the  signal  of 
departure  to  a  better  world  ;  is  what  unassisted  nature 
can  never  perform  :  yet  genuine  religion  consists  in  this 
happy  state  of  mind.  Lord,  help  me.  Without  thee,  I 
can  do  nothing  ;  but,  Oh  !  glorious  triumph,  "  I  can  do 
all  things  through  Christ  who  strengthened  me." 

The  second  enemy,  who  labors  to  oppose  my  progress 
to  the  realms  of  bliss,  is  the  flesh;  dangerous  enemy  in- 
deed, because  never  separated  from  me.     Wherever  I 


312  THE    THREE    ENEMIES. 

go,  I  carry  this  enemy  in  my  bosom.  Lord,  save  me 
from  this  sinful  man,  myself.  The  flesh  harasses  my 
soul: — 1.  By  exciting  evil  affections  and  lusts,  and  stim- 
ulating to  wicked  and  unlawful  actions.  2.  By  resisting 
the  good  motions  of  the  Spirit ;  stifling  its  convictions, 
and  craving  a  little  more  indulgence  on  the  lap  of  sinful 
pleasure.  3.  By  laboring  to  blind  my  understanding  by 
false  reasoning,  and  thereby  aiding  the  tempter  in  his 
work  of  destruction.  Thus  inbred  sin  is  always  at  work. 
I  am  only  safe  whilst  vigilant  and  constant  at  a  throne 
of  grace. 

The  third  enemy,  by  whose  subtlety  and  malice  man 
became  a  child  of  misery,  is  the  Devil.  This  great  adver- 
sary of  the  human  race,  as  well  as  the  world  and  the 
flesh,  has  many  devices  and  stratagems  to  deceive  and  to 
destroy.  May  I  never  forget  my  helplessness  and  dan- 
ger ;  but  ever  look  to  Him  who  fought  this  champion  in 
my  nature,  and  overcame  him  by  his  own  most  precious 
death  upon  the  cross.  The  devil  harasses  my  soul  ;^- 
1.  By  injecting  evil  thoughts;  those  firebrands  of  hell, 
which  fill  the  mind  with  anguish,  and  almost  drive  the 
trembling  sinner  to  despair.  The  feeble-minded  and  the 
low-spirited  are  exposed  to  this  artillery  of  Satan  ;  from 
which  even  the  strongest  and  most  joyous  believer  is  not 
wholly  exempted.  When  the  enemy  comes  in  like  a 
flood,  do  thou,  Oh  blessed  Spirit,  lift  up  a  standard  against 
him.  When  the  overflowings  of  ungodliness  make  me 
afraid,  then  do  thou  arise,  Oh!  mighty  conqueror  of 
death  and  hell;  so  shall  thy  enemies  be  scattered;  then 
shall  they  that  hate  thee  flee  before  thee !  The  devil 
tempts  me  to  ruin ; — 2.  By  presenting  the  bait  of  sin 
tinder  false  names  and  alluring  colors.  How  many  are 
destroyed  by  this  temptation  !  The  object  of  Satan  is  to 
represent  the  religion  of  Jesus  as  gloomy,  unsocial,  and 
forbidding ;  and  the  pleasures  of  the  world  as  smiling, 


THE    THREE    ENEMIES.  313 

sociable,  and  enchanting.  Lord,  make  me  watchful. 
"  In  vain  is  the  net  spread  in  the  sight  of  any  bird." 
Enable  me  to  examine  every  thing  by  the  light  of  truth  : 
to  prove  all  things,  and  to  hold  fast  that  which  is  good, 
He  seeks  my  destruction  ; — 3.  By  stirring  up  the  wicked 
to  persecute  my  soul;  and  by  spreading  stumbling-blocks 
to  impede  my  progress  towards  the  heavenly  Canaan. 
Tnese  are  but  a  small  part  of  his  devices,  of  which  the 
believer  is  not  ignorant.  We  are  in  an  enemy's  country. 
This  is  the  field  of  battle.  Here  we  must  fight ;  but,  if 
we  endure  faithful  unto  the  end,  we  shall  triumphantly 
join  in  the  conqueror's  song. 

My  prayer  must  daily  be,  that  I  may  never  be  suffered 
to  indulge  a  thought,  which  I  would  not  dare  to  express ; 
or  do  an  action  in  secret,  which  I  should  blush  to  have 
known. 

I  do  not  expect,  whilst  in  this  state  of  mortality,  to  be 
free  from  every  sinful  thought,  or  effectually  to  prevent 
their  entrance  into  the  mind.  This  is  the  perfection  of 
heaven.  Yet  I  must  labor  after  this  blessedness  by  faith 
and  prayer,  or  I  am  only  a  hypocrite  and  self-deceiver. 

The  ready  access  which  Satan  has  to  the  imaginative 
powers  of  the  soul,  and  the  quickness  with  which  he  can 
dart  his  poisonous  suggestions  into  the  heart,  are  most 
astonishing.  No  season  is  too  sacred  to  prevent  his  bold 
intrusion.  The  house  of  God  and  the  table  of  the  Lord 
do  not  afford  a  sanctuary  from  this  enemy.  Judas  stands 
on  record  as  an  awful  witness  to  this  truth. 

The  Christian's  private  retirement  is  often  greatly  dis- 
turbed by  this  restless  invader,  who  tempted  the  holy 
Jesus  in  the  desert.  He  raises  visionary  schemes  of  profit 
or  pleasure,  to  amuse  the  fancy  or  engage  the  passions. 
No  art  or  stratagem  is  left  untried,  to  tempt  the  harassed 
soul  to  forego  its  duties,  or  meditate  on  any  thing  rathei 
than  Christ,  and  holiness,  and  heaven. 
27 


314  THE    THREE    ENEMIES. 

Oh  !  how  precious  at  such  a  season  are  prayer  and  the 
word  of  God  !  The  sword  of  the  Spirit  and  all-prayer  are 
the  weapons  which  Satan  cannot  long  withstand,  when 
wielded  by  the  arm  of  faith.  "  Resist  the  devil,  and  he 
shall  flee  from  you,"  is  written  for  the  encouragement  of 
tempted  pilgrims. 

But  who  can  prevent  the  injections  of  Satan  ?  I  might 
as  soon  attempt  to  check  the  whirlwind  in  its  course,  or 
stop  the  flowing  tide.  Yet  I  may  and  must  resist  them 
by  faith  and  prayer,  or  I  shall  perish  by  them.  All- 
sufficient  help  is  offered.  Jesus  has  said,  "  My  grace  is 
sufficient  for  thee,  my  strength  is  made  perfect  in  weak- 
ness." The  promise  is,  "  God  shall  bruise  Satan  under 
your  feet  shortly."  I  must  daily  seek  this  promised  aid 
by  humble,  persevering  prayer.  Then,  as  surely  as  the 
promise  stands  recorded  in  the  Bible,  so  surely  shall  I 
come  off  more  than  conqueror  through  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb. 

This  is  not,  however,  the  work  of  an  hour.  The  be- 
liever's warfare  ends  only  with  his  life.  He  puts  off  his 
earthly  tabernacle  and  his  earthly  troubles  together. 

Oh  my  soul !  take  encouragement  from  that  consoling 
question  which  was  put  to  doubting  Sarah  :  "Is  any 
thing  too  hard  for  the  Lord  ?" 

Almighty  Saviour  !  when  sin  is  working  within  me, 
and  my  soul  is  bowed  down  with  sorrow  :  when  Satan 
buffets  me  with  his  horrid  assaults,  and  all  seems  dark- 
ness and  despair  :  when  unbelief  would  tempt  me  to  give 
up  all  for  lost :  then  may  I  hear  thee  speak  m  cheering 
accents  to  my  soul,  "Is  any  thing  too  hard  for  the  Lord]" 

Oh  !  let  me  never  forget  this  animating  question,  which 
puts  to  flight  a  host  of  unbelieving  fears.  May  I  daily 
live  upon  thy  grace,  and  rest  on  nothing,  blessed  Lord, 
but  thee. 

When  I  contemplate  myself,  what  do  I  behold  1     A 


THE    THREE    ENEMIES.  315 

nature  polluted;  a  heart  deceitful;  a  body  every  mo- 
ment tending  to  decay ;  an  understanding  beclouded  ; 
a  will  depraved ;  affections  in  disorder ;  a  memory  retain- 
ing things  forbidden ;  a  creature,  in  short,  born  in  sin ; 
a  child  of  wrath;  an  heir  of  hell.  Awful  as  this  portrait 
is,  and  humbling  to  the  pride  of  carnal  man,  yet  it  gives 
but  a  faint  representation  of  the  original. 

And  can  such  a  hateful  creature  enter  into  heaven] 
Impossible !  I  must  be  born  again.  But  can  the  Lord 
renew  so  vile  a  being,  and  cause  the  graces  of  his  Spirit 
to  abound  in  such  a  heart  as  mine  1 

Hear,  Oh  !  my  soul,  the  words  of  thy  Saviour  which 
he  spake  to  Sarah,  as  the  angel  of  the  covenant  :  "Is 
any  thing  too  hard  for  the  Lord  V9 

Lord,  I  believe — help  thou  mine  unbelief.  I  believe 
thou  canst  in  a  moment  raise  me  from  a  death  in  sin  to 
a  life  of  righteousness ;  and  shall  I  doubt  thy  willing- 
ness 1  Thou  earnest  to  call  sinners  to  repentance.  Thou 
earnest  to  seek  and  to  save  that  which  was  lost.  Thou- 
sands in  every  age,  who  have  felt  the  power  of  thy 
regenerating  grace,  can  witness  to  this  delightful  truth : 
that  nothing  is  too  hard  for  thee. 

Oh  !  heavenly  Father,  bestow  on  me,  the  vilest,  the 
most  unworthy  of  thy  creatures,  a  look,  a  smile  of  love, 
for  his  dear  sake  in  whom  my  soul  delighteth,  even 
Jesus,  the  sinner's  friend. 

Thou  art  almighty;  nothing  is  too  hard  for  thee.  Let 
not  unbelief,  for  one  moment,  stop  the  current  of  thy 
grace  ;  but  cause  thy  saving  mercy  to  flow  onward  in  my 
soul,  till  unbelief  and  pride,  and  every  sin,  shall  be  for 
ever  lost  beneath  the  powerful  stream.  Then  shall  I  be 
able  to  tell  some  fearful,  doubting  saint,  what  thou  hast 
done  for  my  soul,  and  to  the  latest  moment  of  my  life 
proclaim,  with  heartfelt  joy,  that  nothing  is  too  hard  for 
thee. 


16  INDWELLING    SIN. 

I  will  plead  thy  promise,  Lord, 

I  will  trust  thy  faithful  word ; 

Since  this  precious  truth  I  see, 

"  As  thy  days,  thy  strength  shall  be." 

Oft  I  feel  an  evil  heart, 

Prone  to  wander  and  depart; 

But  thy  word  still  speaks  to  me, 

"  As  thy  days,  thy  strength  shall  be." 

Satan,  with  his  crafty  wile, 
Seeks  to  fill  my  heart  with  guile  ; 
Yet  the  promise  says  to  me, 
"As  thy  days,  thy  strength  shall  be." 

In  whatever  strait  I  come, 
While  I  journey  to  my  home, 
This  shall  be  my  stay  and  plea : 
"  As  thy  days,  thy  strength  shall  be." 


LIII. ON    INDWELLING    SIN. 

Nothing  grieves  the  believer  in  Jesus  so  much,  as 
the  sin  which  dwelleth  in  him.  He  can  feelingly  adopt 
the  language  of  the  apostle  :  "  Oh  wretched  man  that  I 
am  I" — and  with  him  acknowledge,  "we  that  are  in  this 
tabernacle,  do  groan,  being  burdened." 

Yet,  let  not  the  worldling  imagine  that  the  believer 
has  no  inward  enjoyment.  This  very  grief  on  account 
of  sin  is  accompanied  with  holy  peace  and  joy,  through 
faith  in  the  atonement  of  Jesus. 

How  great  is  the  change  which  grace  makes  in  the 
soul !  Sin,  which  once  was  sweet,  now  becomes  bitter. 
Sin,  which  once  wore  the  mask  of  beauty,  now  appears 
in  all  its  native  deformity.  The  mind,  enlightened  frum 
above,  beholds  sin  in  the  mirror  of  truth,  as  hardening 


INDWELLING    SIN.  317 

and  deceiving,  (Heb.  iii,  13,)  unprofitable,  shameful,  and 
deadly.    (Rom.  vi,  21.) 

Its  evil  effects  are  seen  in  the  destruction  of  primitive 
innocence;  the  desolating  judgments  of  heaven;  and 
the  miseries  which  cover  the  earth. 

Its  evil  effects  are  felt  in  the  corruption  of  our  nature, 
the  stings  of  conscience,  and  the  abounding  iniquities  of 
mankind.  But,  above  all  other  views,  we  behold  the 
infinite  evil  of  sin  in  the  agonies  and  death  of  Jesus,  the 
Son  of  God. 

Oh  !  that  I  may  have  grace  to  bewail,  at  the  foot  of  the 
cross,  the  exceeding  sinfulness  of  sin.  There  I  would 
confess  both  my  guilt  and  pollution;  and  there,  looking 
with  an  eye  of  faith  to  the  bleeding  sacrifice,  I  would 
wait  in  humble  hope,  till  Jesus  speak  those  soul-trans- 
porting words:  "  Be  of  good  cheer,  thy  sins  are  forgiven 
thee." 

Sinless  perfection  is  the  bliss  of  heaven.  There,  be- 
lievers who  die  in  the  Lord  become  "  the  spirits  of  just 
men  made  perfect."  Whilst  they  sojourn  here  below, 
they  are  called  to  wrestle  and  fight  both  with  inbred  sin 
and  outward  temptations.  Hence  we  find  in  that  faith- 
ful word,  which  is  the  "light"  and  counsellor"  of  the 
church  of  God,  continual  calls  to  vigilance  and  activity, 
and  reiterated  cautions  against  negligence  and  sloth. 
There  are  four  evils  against  which  the  most  advanced 
believer  has  daily,  yea  hourly,  to  contend. 

The  first  is  unbelief. 

This  is  a  powerful  enemy  to  our  peace.  It  was  un- 
belief which  gave  Satan  the  first  advantage  over  the 
once  happy  pair  in  Paradise.  They  doubted — they  dis- 
believed— they  fell.  Unbelief  is  the  parent  of  number- 
less evils,  which,  although  of  different  complexions,  yet, 
like  the  human  race,  may  be  traced  to  the  same  source. 

Doubts,  distrust,  evil-surmisirgs,  murmur  ngs,  com- 
27* 


SIS  INDWELLING    SIN. 

plainings,  slavish  fears,  despondencies,  creature  depend- 
ancies,  contempt  of  divine  threatenings,  slight  of  divine 
promises,  rejection  of  Jesus,  neglect  of  the  Gospel,  ridi- 
culing the  work  of  the  Spirit,  atheism,  deism,  3ocinianism, 
carnal  security,  lukewarmness,  backsliding  in  heart  or 
life,  false  profession,  hypocrisy,  &c.  &c. — all  these,  and 
a  thousand  other  evils,  spring  from  unbelief.  Lord, 
deliver  me,  I  humbly  and  earnestly  beseech  thee,  from 
these  soul-destroying,  hell-deserving  sins. 

The  second  inbred  evil  is  pride. 

Pride  is  a  subtle  enemy  :  it  spoils  all  that  we  think, 
and  speak,  and  do,  until  the  Spirit  of  Christ  destroys  its 
power  in  the  soul.  Pride  is  the  last  sin  which  dies,  and 
expires  only  with  the  life  of  the  believer.  Through  hig 
whole  pilgrimage  he  has  to  contend  against  spiritual 
pride,  in  all  its  specious  and  multiplied  forms. 

In  heaven,  pride  cannot  exist.  There,  all  is  humility 
and  peace.  Self-love,  self-seeking,  self-will,  self-confi- 
dence, self-righteousness,  all  spring  from  pride.  Pride, 
like  unbelief,  is  a  root  of  bitterness,  from  whence  grow 
in  awful  luxuriancy,  vain-glory,  love  of  human  applause, 
keen  sense  of  honor,  (falsely  so  called,)  independence, 
rebellion,  revenge,  anger,  contempt  of  others,  resent- 
ment of  real  or  supposed  injuries;  ambition,  presump- 
tion, &c.  &c. 

There  is  no  end  to  this  extensive  evil,  which  infects 
the  hearts  of  sinners,  and  fills  the  earth  with  misery  and 
blood. 

Blessed  Jesus  !  thou  didst  humble  thyself  even  unto 
death,  to  make  an  atonement  for  my  pride.  Oh  !  make 
me  humble  and  lowly  in  heart.  Clothe  me  with  humil- 
ity, that,  with  all  lowliness  of  mind,  I  may  walk  before 
thee  to  thine  honor  and  glory. 

The  third  enemy  is  sensuality. 

This  dreadful  evil  is  the  parent  of  crimes,  which  the 


INDWELLING    SIX.  319 

apostle  declares  ought  not  so  much  as  to  be  named 
among  tne  holy  followers  of  Christ. 

How  awful,  then,  is  the  thought,  that  the  nominally 
Christian  world  is,  at  this  very  moment,  stained  with 
crimes  of  so  polluting  a  nature,  as  to  oppose  a  barrier,  in 
many  instances,  to  the  conversion  both  of  the  heathens 
and  the  Jews  !  Our  Lord  hath  told  us  that  o:Tences  will 
come;  but  he  hath  also  denounced  a  "wo  unto  him 
through  whom  they  come." 

Self-indulgence,  sloth,  luxury,  gluttony,  and  drunken- 
ness, unite  with  carnal  gratifications  and  impure  desires 
in  binding  chains  around  the  captive  sinner,  till  death 
consign  him  to  the  dungeon  of  hell.  Oh  !  thou  holy 
and  ever-blessed  Spirit,  purify  and  purge  my  heart  from 
ibis  dreadful  enemy  the  flesh,  which  wars  against  the 
soul.  Wash  me  in  the  precious  blood  of  Jesus.  Pardon 
all  my  sins  of  impurity,  and  fill  me  with  holy  affections 
and  pure  desires. 

The  most  solemn  threatenings  are  denounced  in  Scrip- 
ture against  these  inbred  sins  :  "  He  that  believeth  not, 
shall  be  damned."  "  Every  one  that  is  proud  in  heart, 
is  an  abomination  to  the  Lord."  "  If  ye  live  after  the 
flcsli,  ye  shall  die." 

But  ihere  is  another  enemy  which  lodges  within  the 
human  heart  : — covetousness,  or  the  love  of  the 
world. 

This  sin  ever  opposes  the  exercise  of  love  to  Christ, 
and  heavenly  things,  in  the  soul  of  the  believer.  The 
world  assumes  an  undue  importance,  owing  to  our  com- 
ing into  continual  contact  with  its  fleeting  possessions  ; 
whilst  eternal  realities  are  the  objects  of  faith  and  hope. 
Hence,  even  the  advanced  believer  finds  frequent  occa- 
sion to  use  the  lamentation  of  David  :  "  My  soul  cleav- 
eth  unto  the  dust  :  quicken  thou  me,  according  to  thy 
word."     The  conviction  of  this  evil  should  lead  us  to 


320  INDWELLING    SIN. 

more  earnest  prayer  for  that  spiritual-mindedness,  which 
is  life  and  peace. 

Worldly  prosperity  too  frequently  produces  lukewarm- 
ness,  and  declension  from  the  ways  of  God.  But  if  we 
possessed  more  of  that  faith  which  is  the  substance  of 
things  hoped  for,  and  the  evidence  of  things  not  seen  : 
more  of  that  telescopic  eye  which  looks  within  the  veil, 
and  views,  as  near,  the  distant  glories  of  Emanuel's 
kingdom  :  we  should  be  less  attached  to  earth  ;  yea, 
altogether  weaned  from  it ;  and  be  enabled  to  say  with 
the  apostle,  "God  forbid  that  I  should  glory,  save  in  the 
cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  whom  the  world  is 
crucified  unto  me,  and  I  unto  the  world." 

This  proves  the  necessity  of  regeneration,  since  the 
love  of  the  world  is  the  natural  affection  of  the  unre- 
newed heart.  Nothing  can  eradicate  this  idolatrous 
attachment  to  earthly  things,  but  the  love  of  Christ 
shed  abroad  in  the  heart  by  the  Holy  Ghost  given  unto 
us.  The  more  we  see  of  the  preciousness,  glory,  and 
excellency  of  Jesus,  the  more  we  discover  of  the  empti- 
ness, vanity,  and  insufficiency  of  all  earthly  good  ;  and 
the  more  will  our  souls  be  abstracted  from  present 
things,  and  fixed  upon  things  above,  where  Christ  sit- 
teth  at  the  right  hand  of  God. 

The  evils  flowing  from  this  sinful  love  of  the  world, 
are  many  and  great.  Idolatry,  (for  whatever  supremely 
engages  the  heart,  be  it  a  diadem  or  a  feather,  is  our 
idol,)  avarice,  cupidity,  the  love  of  money,  of  earthly 
possessions,  of  splendid  equipages,  and  of  all  those  things 
"  which  the  nations  of  the  world  seek  after ;"  fraud, 
deceit,  over-reaching,  theft,  envy  at  the  prosperity  of 
others;  repining  at  our  own  condition,  if  lower  than  our 
neighbor's  ;  an  unwillingness  to  part  with  all  for  Christ; 
a  shrinking  from  the  cross;  a  dread  of  suffering  for  right- 
eousness' sake  j — these,  and  many  other  evils,  flowing 


INDWELLING    SIN.  321 

from  covetousness,  prove  the  soul  to  be  in  a  stale  of 
enmity  against  God  :  for  "  if  any  man  will  be  the  friend 
of  the  world,  he  is  the  enemy  of  God." 

From  these  four  dreadful  sources  of  evil — unbelief, 
pride,  sensuality,  and  covetousness — spring  all  the  mise- 
ries which  inundate  the  earth,  and  fill  hell  itself  with 
horrors. 

These  sins  are  so  interwoven  with  our  fallen  nature, 
that,  until  we  are  created  anew  in  Christ  Jesus,  they 
form,  as  it  were,  part  of  ourselves.  How  needful,  then, 
is  self-examination  !  How  important  to  consider  our 
ways  !  We  may  quit  the  world  with  respect  to  its  vain 
amusements,  and  yet  never  have  the  heart  disengaged 
from  it.  Abstraction  from  the  world  does  not  necessarily 
produce  a  crucifixion  to  it.  It  is  one  thing  to  leave  the 
sinful  customs  and  company  of  the  world,  and  another 
to  sit  loosely  to  its  fading  pleasures  and  possessions. 
We  may  be  worldly  in  a  lonely  desert,  and  spiritual  in 
the  midst  of  a  crowd.  The  world  may  reign  in  the  cell 
of  the  monk  ;  and  be  renounced  in  the  counting-house 
of  the  pious  merchant. 

The  exhortation  of  St.  Paul  is  at  all  times  most  appro- 
priate and  seasonable  :  "Brethren,  the  time  is  short  ;  it 
remaineth,  that  both  they  that  have  wives,  be  as  though 
they  had  none ;  and  they  that  weep,  as  though  they 
wept  not;  and  they  that  rejoice,  as  though  they  rejoiced 
not ;  and  they  that  buy,  as  though  they  possessed  not  ; 
and  they  that  use  this  world,  as  not  abusing  it ;  for  the 
fashion  of  this  world  passeth  away." 

Blessed  Lord !  implant  in  my  heart  that  lively  faith, 
that  deep  humility,  that  heavenly  purity,  that  spiritual- 
mindedness,  which  will  evidence  my  union  to  thee, 
and  prepare  me  for  thy  beatific  vision  in  the  world  to 
come. 


322  TRIALS. 


When  I  survey  my  treach'rous  heart, 
So  base,  so  vile  in  every  part ; 
How  wondrous,  Lord,  that  sov'reign  grace 
Should  make  this  heart  thy  dwelling-place ! 

'Tis  true,  I  hate  each  rebel  sin, 
And  long  for  purity  within ; 
Yet,  ah !  what  evils  still  remain, 
The  purest  act  of  love  to  stain. 

Were  this  my  only  hope  and  plea, 
What  I  have  said,  or  done  for  thee 
Dread  loads  of  guilt  would  sink  me  down, 
Beneath  the  terrors  of  thy  frown. 

But  Jesus  is  my  living  way, 
My  only  trust,  my  hope,  my  stay ; 
From  him,  I  all  my  strength  receive, 
And  daily  on  his  fulness  live. 

When  death  shall  loose  the  silver  cord, 
Obedient  to  thy  mandate,  Lord, 
My  soul  shall  joy  and  peace  possess, 
If  Jesus  be  my  righteousness. 


LIV. ON    TRIALS. 


When  I  look  into  the  world,  and  see  all  around  me  in 
pursuit  of  happiness ;  that  certain  something  unpos- 
sessed, yet  still  desired;  which  eludes  the  grasp  of  thou- 
sands, who  think  they  have  just  to  make  one  effort 
more  to  seize  the  flattering  shadow  and  be  happy :  I  ask, 
why  all  this  restlessness,  this  feverish  thirst  for  that 
which  cannot  satisfy  an  immortal  soul?  Is  it  not  that 
man,  blinded  by  his  passions,  fondly  hopes  to  find  felicity 
m  a  world,  from  whence  it  long  since  took  its  flight, 
when  Adam  ate  of  the  forbidden  tree? 

"  Thorns  and  thistles  shall  the  earth  bring  forth  to 
thee,"  is  the  language  of  Jehovah  to  his  fallen  creatures, 


TRIALS.  323 

when  he  cursed  the  ground  for  man's  sake ;  and  if  the 
divine  inspiration  of  the  Bible  rested  upon  the  truth  of 
this  one  declaration,  every  age  and  every  heart  must 
feelingly  witness  to  its  holy  origin. 

Vain  man  would  be  happy  at  a  distance  from  his  God. 
He  plucks  the  flower,  and  it  withers  in  his  hand.  His 
fond  expectations  of  earthly  bliss,  like  wave  succeeding 
wave,  roll  along  in  quick  succession,  without  bringing 
him  any  nearer  to  the  desired  haven  of  rest  and  hap- 
piness. 

This  world  is  not  a  resting-place  to  the  wicked,  nor 
the  resting-place  of  the  righteous.  "There  is  no  peace, 
saith  my  God,  to  the  wicked."  His  desires  are  restless, 
his  passions  are  restless,  his  spirit  is  restless.  He 
wants  what  he  has  not,  and  does  not  truly  enjoy  what 
he  has.  He  is  of  the  earth,  earthy.  His  aims,  pursuits, 
and  pleasures,  all  spring  out  of  and  settle  upon  the 
world.  Thus  he  reaps  those  thorns  and  thistles  which 
spring  up  in  such  abundant  crops,  wherever  he  erects  his 
dwelling.  Disappointed  and  chagrined  that  happiness 
is  ever  eluding  his  grasp,  he  grows  peevish  in  his  spirit, 
or  a  complainant  against  his  kind,  yet  insulted  Creator. 
No  wonder  that  misery  marks  his  steps,  even  though, 
like  those  of  Asher,  they  be  "dipped  in  oil."  (Deut. 
xxxiii,  24.) 

Worldly  riches  cannot  give  quietness,  when  God 
giveth  trouble.  Oh  my  soul,  learn  true  wisdom  from 
what  thou  seest  around  thee.  Every  situation  is  planted 
with  thorns  in  this  wilderness  of  sin.  Vain,  then,  is  the 
expectation  of  man,  to  find  a  place  of  pure,  uninter- 
rupted rest  below  the  skies.  And  yet,  what  crowds  are 
daily  iu  search  of  such  a  place  of  rest  in  the  midst  of  a 
polluted  and  tempestuous  world !  Some  think  it  lies  in 
the  region  of  wealth  ;  others  in  that  of  pleasure  ;  others 
in  that  of  honor.     Some  fancy  it  is  found  in  the  busy 


S24  TRIALS. 

throng;  and  some  in  the  stillness  of  retirement.  Bat 
all  who  seek  it  in  the  world  shall  never  find  it. 

Thou,  blessed  Jesus,  art  the  true  and  only  resting- 
place  for  guilty  sinners.  Believing  in  thee,  they  enter 
into  rest.  Thy  people,  it  is  true,  must  bear  thy  cross, 
but  they  enjoy  thy  consolations  also ;  they  feel  a  peace 
and  calm  within,  which  all  the  panting  candidates  for 
worldly  happiness  can  never  obtain.  They  have  peace 
with  God,  peace  in  their  own  consciences;  and  study, 
as  much  as  lieth  in  them,  to  live  peaceably  with  all 
men. 

Thus  they  are  enabled  to  bear  with  composure  the 
varied  trials  of  life;  looking  with  assured  hope  to  that 
rest  which  remaineth  to  the  people  of  God,  when  this 
stormy  world  shall  have  passed  away;  and  its  votaries 
be  doomed  to  that  doleful  place,  where  they  have  no 
rest  day  nor  night,  but  where  the  smoke  of  their  torment 
ascendeth  up  for  ever  and  ever  I 

Oh  divine  Saviour  !  be  thou  my  portion,  the  lot  of 
mine  inheritance.  Then  shall  I  rejoice  in  the  midst  of 
sorrows,  and  be  calm  in  the  midst  of  storms.  Oh  !  speak 
peace  to  my  troubled  soul,  and  then  ail  shall  be  still. 
Blessed  Redeemer!  all  who  come  to  thee  find  rest  unto 
their  souls;  and  I  would  now  come.  Receive  me  in 
mercy.  Cause  me  to  know  thee  as  my  Saviour,  and  to 
rejoice  daily  in  the  joyful  sound  of  mercy  extended  to 
the  chief  of  sinners. 

When  a  sinner  is  first  brought  to  the  knowledge  of 
the  truth,  and  experiences  the  joys  of  faith  and  the 
sweets  of  pardoning  love,  he  fancies  that  the  bare  men- 
tion of  his  own  comforts  will  be  sufficient  to  make  all 
around  him  anxious  to  possess  them  too.  A  little  ex- 
perience, however,  shows  him,  that  the  hard  heart  of 
man  is  not  so  easily  to  be  moved. 

Instead  of  converting  those  about  him,  he  raises  up  a 


TRIALS.  325 

host  of  foes,  even  in  the  bosom  of  his  own  family,  and 
amongst  his  kinsfolk  and  acquaintance.  He  becomes 
the  object  either  of  their  pity  or  their  scorn  ;  and  meets 
with  cold  neglect,  or  many  sharp  rebukes,  where  once 
he  enjoyed  a  hearty  welcome.  His  name  is  cast  out  as 
evil ;  his  motives  are  maligned ;  his  actions  deemed 
precise  and  singular ;  his  conversation  whining  cant ; 
yea,  his  whole  life  condemned  as  unbecoming  a  man  of 
spirit,  or  even  a  person  endued  with  common  sense. 

The  consistent  believer  in  Jesus  must,  therefore,  ex- 
pect trials  and  opposition  from  an  ungodly  world.  "As 
he  that  was  born  after  the  flesh,  persecuted  him  that 
was  born  after  the  Spirit,  even  so  it  is  now." 

The  blessed  Saviour  has  given  his  people  clear  and 
repeated  intimations  to  that  effect.  "Blessed  are  ye 
when  men  shall  hate  you,  and  when  they  shall  separate 
you  from  their  company,  and  shall  reproach  you,  and 
cast  out  your  name  as  evil  for  the  Son  of  man's  sake ; 
rejoice  ye  in  that  day,  and  leap  for  joy,  for  behold  your 
reward  is  great  in  heaven." 

The  Christian's  trials  arise  from  various  sources. 

They  spring  from  his  general  character. 

If  the  believer  be  divested  of  all  unnecessary  singular- 
ity in  dress  or  deportment ;  yet  his  attachment  to  the 
Redeemer,  evidencing  itself  by  a  firm  adherence  to  the 
precepts  of  the  Gospel,  and  a  rooted  aversion  to  all  sin, 
will,  of  itself,  create  dislike,  and  beget  such  a  secret 
enmity  in  the  hearts  of  the  ungodly,  as  cannot  fail  of 
showing  its  malignity  by  outward  contempt  or  ridicule. 

There  was  nothing  of  singularity  in  the  character  of 
the  blessed  Jesus,  except  his  unspotted  holiness  ;  his 
unbounded  benevolence;  his  perfect  conformity  to  the 
divine  law  ;  his  heavenly  wisdom  ;  his  deadness  to  the 
world  ;  his  boldness  in  reproving  sin ;  his  entire  resigna- 
tion to  his  Holy  Father's  will  ;  his  divine   xnver  in  heal- 

28 


326  TRIALS. 

ing  diseases,  feeding  the  hungry,  casting  out  devils,  and 
stilling  the  raging  elements :  and  yet,  with  all  this 
display  of  majesty  and  glory,  of  tenderness  and  compas- 
sion, how  hated,  how  despised,  how  persecuted,  was  the 
Saviour  of  mankind  ! 

If  they  thus  treated  the  master  of  the  house,  they  will 
also  despise  them  of  his  household.  "If,"  said  our  Lord, 
"they  hated  me,  they  will  also  hate  you." 

Hast  thou,  Oh  my  soul,  reason  to  believe  that  thou 
art  born  from  above ;  that  a  divine  change  has  passed 
upon  thee  ?  Where  are  the  fruits  of  faith  1  Where  is 
the  opposition  of  the  world  *?  Examine  well ;  for  it  is 
declared — "wo  be  unto  you,  if  all  men  speak  well  of 
you."  Is  the  image  of  Jesus  stamped  upon  thee  ?  Art 
thou  bold  in  confessing  Christ  before  men  ;  faithful  in 
discountenancing  every  thing  that  is  contrary  to  his 
blessed  word  ?  Dost  thou  acknowledge  him  to  be  the 
Lord  thy  righteousness,  thy  only  atonement,  advocate, 
and  friend  ? 

Lord,  grant  that  I  may,  through  grace,  be  able  to  say, 
"thou  knowest  all  things,  thou  knowest  that  I  love  thee." 

I  need  not  court  opposition — only  let  me  live  a  life  of 
faith  in  the  Son  of  God ;  and  opposition  will  be  excited, 
as  naturally  as  fire  introduced  into  water  occasions  a 
contest  between  the  two  elements:  for  "all  that  will 
live  godly  in  Christ  Jesus  shall  suffer  persecution." 

The  believer's  trials  frequently  arise  from  his  pecu- 
liar   SITUATION. 

This  added  to  the  former,  namely,  his  general  charac- 
ter as  a  true  Christian,  whereby  he  tacitly  condemns  the 
conduct  of  a  wicked  world,  brings  still  greater  odium 
upon  him,  and  puts  all  his  graces  to  the  severest  test. 

A  pious  wife,  child,  or  servant  is  often  severely  tried 
in  the  furnace,  by  being  brought  into  immediate  contact 
with  an  ungodly  husband,  parent,  or  master.     The  natu- 


TRIALS.  327 

ral  enmity  of  the  heart,  aided  by  natural  authority,  re- 
ceives additional  strength  ;  and  fails  not  to  vent  its 
utmost  malice  against  the  unoffending  lambs  of  Christ's 
flock.  Like  the  savage  wolf  of  the  forest,  such  charac- 
ters seem  to  take  delight  in  devouring  the  weak  and 
defenceless,  and  satiating  themselves  with  the  miseries 
of  others. 

Many  hearts  are  made  to  bleed  by  the  unkindness  of 
these  adversaries  to  the  truth,  whose  only  charge  against 
the  objects  of  their  cruelty  is,  that  they  dare  not  comply 
with  their  sinful  commands  in  direct  violation  of  the 
law  of  God. 

But  Jesus  is  the  good  Shepherd.  He  watches  over 
his  flock  with  tender  care  in  the  dark  and  cloudy  day. 
In  the  midst  of  all  their  outward  troubles,  he  gives  them 
inward  peace.  Whilst  trusting  in  his  unchanging  love, 
they  experience  a  joy,  of  which  the  utmost  rage  of  per- 
secution cannot  deprive  them. 

If  such  be  the  blessedness  of  the  lambs  of  thy  flock, 
Oh  thou  gracious  Saviour,  give  me  a  holy  courage  in 
thy  cause,  a  holy  confidence  in  thy  mercy,  a  holy  con- 
solation from  thy  exceeding  great  and  precious  promises. 
Let  me  never  dread  the  sneer  nor  the  frowns  of  the  un- 
godly. Preserve  me  from  sinful  compliances  with  the 
customs,  and  from  sinful  conformity  to  the  spirit,  of  the 
world.  Make  me  valiant  for  the  truth  ;  ever  daring  to 
be  singular  in  the  cultivation  of  Christian  tempers,  and 
scrupulous  in  the  choice  of  Christian  companions,  whom 
thou  hast  called  the  salt  of  the  earth,  and  the  light  of 
the  world ;  and  to  whom  it  is  thy  good  pleasure  to  give 
the  kingdom. 

The  believer's  trials  sometimes  spring  from  the  imme- 
diate HAND  OF  GOD. 

The  wife  is  deprived  by  death  of  her  earthly  support, 
a  tender  husband  ;  the  husband,  of  an  affectionate  wife. 


32S  TRIALS. 

The  parent  sees  the  hope  of  his  declining  age  sink  into 
the  grave ;  the  child  is  left  an  orphan  in  a  wicked  and 
ensnaring  world.  The  tenderest  ties  are  snapped  asun- 
der by  the  unrelenting  hand  of  death.  Diseases  of  vari- 
ous kinds  are  commissioned  to  invade  our  frame.  One 
faculty  after  another  is  taken  away,  or  greatly  impaired. 
Earthly  comforts  droop  and  die.  Riches  fly  away ; 
poverty  advances,  and  nothing  but  clouds  and  storms 
appear  in  sight. 

In  such  a  situation,  the  poor  trembling  believer  is 
sorely  assaulted  by  the  tempter  to  doubt  of  his  interest 
in  Christ,  of  the  love  of  God  to  his  soul,  of  the  truth  of 
the  promises,  of  the  power  of  his  Redeemer,  of  his  will- 
ingness to  save.  In  short,  he  is  tempted  to  unbelief  and 
hard  thoughts  of  God. 

At  such  bereaving  seasons,  injudicious  friends  are  apt 
to  suspect  his  character,  and,  like  those  of  Job,  to  charge 
him  with  hypocrisy. 

The  ungodly  rejoice  over  him,  saying,  "  There,  there, 
so  would  we  have  it.  You  see  what  is  the  end  of  his 
prayers  and  religion.  If  he  be  a  child  of  God,  let  him 
deliver  him,  if  he  will  have  him." 

But  the  triumphing  of  the  wicked  is  short.  The  very 
storm  which  purifies  the  humble  believer,  often  strikes 
the  scorner  dead.  Death,  like  a  tiger,  darts  upon  him 
in  a  moment,  when  he  is  least  aware  of  his  approach. 
He,  who,  being  often  reproved,  hardeneth  his  neck,  shall 
suddenly  be  cut  off,  and  that  without  remedy ;  whilst 
the  child  of  God  calmly  waits  the  hour  of  his  dismission, 
and  even  longs  to  be  dissolved,  that  he  may  be  with 
Christ. 

Oh  the  depth  of  the  goodness  and  severity  of  God  ! 
By  these  trials,  the  Lord  brings  the  faith  and  love  of  his 
people  into  lively  exercise,  and  thus  demonstrates  the 
efficacy  of  true  religion. 


TRIALS.  329 

The  graces  of  the  Spirit  generally  thrive  most  in  a 
rugged  soil,  and  in  tempestuous  seasons.  Like  the 
Israelites  in  Egypt,  they  increase  in  the  midst  of  oppres- 
sion, persecution,  and  suffering  ;  for  as  gold  shines  bright- 
est in  the  furnace,  so  the  Lord's  people  glorify  him  most 
in  the  fires.   (Is.  xxiv,  15.) 

The  believer's  trials  arise  also  from  his  inward  cor- 
ruptions. This  is  more  painful  to  him  than  all  the 
rest,  because  the  sufferings  he  endures  from  indwelling 
sin  are  the  bitter  fruits  of  that  evil  nature,  which  is  so 
offensive  to  God  his  Saviour. 

He  can  bear  with  calm  composure  the  taunts  of  men  ; 
he  can  patiently  submit  to  be  accounted  a  fool  for  Christ's 
sake ;  yea,  he  can  suffer  joyfully  the  spoiling  of  his 
goods,  and  even  the  loss  of  life  itself;  but  he  cannot 
endure  the  inward  workings  of  corruption.  He  cannot 
submit  to  the  power  of  indwelling  sin.  He  cannot  tamely 
suffer  his  mind  to  be  assaulted  by  his  spiritual  enemies. 
He  cannot  bear  the  thought  of  losing  that  joy  and  peace 
through  believing,  which  is  the  very  foretaste  of  heavenly 
felicity. 

Oh  the  anguish  of  his  mind,  when  corruption  rages ! 
How  fervently  does  he  pray  for  deliverance !  How  pre- 
cious is  the  blood  of  Jesus  at  such  seasons  !  He  flies  to 
the  strong  for  strength.  He  takes  refuge  in  the  wounds 
of  Jesus,  and  is  safe. 

This  trial,  like  every  other,  is  over-ruled  for  good.  A 
holy  watchfulness,  an  increased  dread  of  sin,  a  jealous, 
godly  fear,  a  spirit  of  prayer,  a  more  simple  dependance 
on  Christ,  a  more  hearty  loathing  of  self,  a  more  ardent 
breathing  after  holiness  and  heaven,  are  excited  in  the 
soul. 

Thus,  through  grace,  Satan  is  defeated,  and  the 
tempted  believer  comes  out  of  the  furnace,  as  gold  tried 
in  the  fire,  leaving  nothing  but  the  dross  behind. 

28* 


330  AFFLICTION. 

Happy  are  the  people  who  have  God  for  their  Lord , 
yea,  happy  art  thou,  Oh  Israel :  who  is  like  unto  thee, 
Oh  people  saved  by  the  Lord,  who  is  the  shield  of  thy 
help,  and  the  sword  of  thy  excellency !  and  thine  ene- 
mies shall  be  found  liars  unto  thee.  The  eternal  God 
is  thy  refuge,  and  underneath  are  the  everlasting  arms. 

Oh !  'tis  sweet  to  trust  in  Jesus, 

To  rely  upon  his  word ; 
Cares  and  sorrows  fly  before  us, 

When  we  trust  a  pard'ning  God. 

Here  we  meet  with  heavy  crosses ; 

Many  burdens  we  must  bear ; 
But  the  Lord  can  make  our  losses 

Lighter  lhan  the  ambient  air. 

Then,  my  soul,  why  so  distressed  ? 

Why  cast  down  with  anxious  fear? 
Jesus  helps  the  weak  oppressed, 

He  the  drooping  soul  can  cheer. 

Gird  thy  loins,  let  hope  support  thee ; 

Speed  with  cheerful  haste  thy  way; 
He  who  call'd  thee  to  the  journey, 

Will  conduct  to  endless  day. 


LV. ON    AFFLICTION. 

All  the  ways  of  God  are  good ;  yea,  all  the  paths  of 
the  Lord  are  mercy  and  truth,  unto  such  as  love  him 
and  keep  his  commandments. 

Should  any  one  ask :  why,  then,  does  the  Lord  afflict 
his  people]  We  answer,  because  he  loves  them.  "As 
many  as  I  love,  I  rebuke  and  chasten."  This  will  ap- 
pear from  a  few  reflections  on  the  nature,  design,  and 
end  of  affliction. 


AFFLICTION.  331 

Its  nature  is  indeed  unpleasant  to  the  children  of  men. 
St.  Paul  declares  it  to  be  "not  joyous,  but  grievous." 
The  cup  of  affliction  is  composed  of  bitter  ingredients,  at 
which  our  nature  revolts.  But  should  we  commend  the 
physician,  who  prescribed  only  luscious  medicines  for  a 
distempered  stomach?  His  skill  would  rather  appear 
in  administering  a  bitter,  yet  salutary  draught.  And 
so  it  is  with  our  heavenly  Physician.  He  knows  our 
inward  malady,  and  he  has  medicine  to  heal  our  sick- 
ness. Affliction  is  one  of  his  medicinal  dispensations, 
which  is  more  or  less  bitter,  according  to  the  spiritual 
malady  of  his  people.  But  our  heavenly  Father,  who 
does  not  willingly  afflict  or  grieve  the  children  of  men, 
never  infuses  more  wormwood  and  gall  than  is  needful 
to  correct  our  vitiated  souls. 

Hence  we  plainly  see  what  is  the  design  of  affliction 
It  is  to  do  us  good.  The  tender-hearted  physician  for 
the  body  aims  at  nothing  but  his  patient's  recovery. 
He  calls  every  day.  He  watches  every  turn  of  the 
complaint.  And  is  our  heavenly  Physician  less  atten- 
tive to  his  dear  afflicted  children?  Ah!  no.  He  calls 
not  merely  once  a  day.  He  is  always  near  them.  His 
eye  is  always  upon  them.  His  ears  are  always  open  to 
their  prayers.  When  he  sees  a  favorable  change  in 
their  spiritual  state,  he  administers  the  cordials  of  his 
promises  to  strengthen  and  restore  them  to  that  peace 
and  comfort  and  joy,  which,  before  the  afflictive  dispen- 
sation, they  were  not  in  a  proper  frame  of  spirit  to 
receive. 

Thus  we  see  the  gracious  end  of  affliction.  Before 
the  trial  came,  they  were  perhaps  growing  lukewarm, 
or  insensibly  gliding  into  a  sinful  compliance  with  the 
customs  of  the  world ;  or,  they  were  settling  upon  the 
lees,  and  feeling  quite  at  ease  in  Zion.  Surrounded 
with  earthly  comforts,  they  were  forsaking  the  fountain 


332  AFFLICTION. 

of  living  water,  and  idolizing  some  created  good  in  the 
bosom  of  domestic  life.  But  now,  they  return  unto  the 
Lord,  and  find  their  happiness  in  their  God. 

Our  heavenly  Father,  in  perfect  accordance  with  his 
covenant  of  life  and  peace,  sends  the  needful  trial:  "If 
thy  children  forsake  my  law,  and  walk  not  in  my  cove- 
nant, then  will  I  visit  their  transgressions  with  the  rod, 
and  their  iniquity  with  stripes."  Thus  for  a  season, 
if  need  be,  we  are  in  heaviness  through  manifold 
temptations. 

The  Lord  deals  graciously  with  his  people.  Though 
he  puts  them  into  the  furnace,  yet  he  will  not  suffer  it 
to  be  heated  one  degree  more  than  is  needful  to  consume 
the  dross  and  purify  their  souls.  He  presides  over  it 
himself.  His  wisdom  and  love  regulate  its  strength. 
Thus,  in  the  midst  of  all  their  trials,  he  never  leaves 
them  nor  forsakes  them. 

In  this  way,  the  Holy  Spirit  carries  on  the  great  work 
of  sanctification  in  their  souls,  manifesting  their  sonship 
by  these  fatherly  corrections,  and  fitting  them  for  that 
pure  region  where  nothing  can  enter  that  defileth  or 
maketh  a  lie. 

And  is  it  thus  with  God's  dear  children?  Then,  Oh 
my  soul,  receive  the  cup  of  affliction  with  humble  resig- 
nation and  adoring  love.  Kiss  the  hand  that  smites. 
Bless  the  rod  which  chastises. 

Whilst  the  bramble  is  suffered  to  grow  wild,  the  vine 
is  pruned ;  whilst  God  says  of  the  wicked,  "  Let  them 
alone,"  he  scourge th  every  son  whom  he  receiveth. 
And  truly  his  "loving  correction"  shall  make  thee 
great. 

How  consoling,  then,  to  the  true  believer,  is  this  sweet 
assurance  of  the  royal  Psalmist!  "All  the  paths  of  the 
Lord  are  mercy  and  truth  unto  such  as  keep  his  cove- 
nant and  his  testimonies."     David  was  a  tried  saint.     He 


AFFLICTION.  333 

had  often  been  made  to  pass  through  the  furnace  of 
affliction,  and  always  found  himself  the  better  for  his 
trials.  In  the  119th  Psalm  he  says,  "It  is  good  for  me 
that  I  have  been  afflicted,  that  I  might  learn  thy  statutes. 
Before  I  was  afflicted  I  went  astray,  but  now  have  I  kept 
thy  word."  And  then  he  adds,  "Thou  art  good  and 
doest  goo.! :  teach  me  thy  statutes."  Thus  acknow- 
ledging the  goodness  of  his  heavenly  Father,  in  not 
leaving  him  to  follow  the  devices  and  desires  of  his  own 
deceitful  heart. 

It  is  delightful  to  consider  that  the  sufferings  which 
believers  are  now  callec  to  endure,  are  the  only  suffer- 
ings which  they  shall  ever  experience.  In  heaven  there 
is  neit-ier  sighing  nor  sorrow.  None  of  its  inhabitants 
say,  I  am  sick ;  for  the  former  things  are  passed  away. 
What  an  animating  thought !  It  should  make  the 
children  of  God  exclaim  with  the  apostle,  "  I  am  full  of 
comfort,  1  am  exceeding  joyful  in  all  my  tribulation." 

If  we  read  the  word  of  God  with  due  attention,  we 
shall  find  that  the  most  eminent  saints  have  been  the 
most  tried.  The  faith  of  Abraham,  the  patience  of  Job, 
the  meekness  of  Moses,  the  purity  of  Joseph,  the  devo- 
tion of  Daniel,  would  not  have  been  so  conspicuous, 
had  n<«.  these  peculiar  graces  been  brought  into  exercise 
by  trials  remarkably  adapted  to  each. 

God  is  a  Sovereign,  wise  and  good.  He  can  overrule 
the  sorest  temptations  of  Satan,  to  the  establishing  of  his 
people.  "Who  is  he  that  will  harm  you,  if  ye  be  fol- 
lowers of  that  which  is  good?"  is  a  question  full  of 
comfort  to  the  tempted  believer.  Suffering  he  may 
endure  ;  but  real  injury  he  shall  not  sustain,  since  eter- 
nal truth  hath  declared,  that  "  all  things  shall  work 
together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God,  to  them  that 
are  the  called  according  to  his  purpose."  "  Wherefore, 
let  them  that  suffer  according  to  the  will  of  God,  commit 


334  AFFLICTION. 

the  keeping  of  their  souls  to  him  in  well-doing,  as  unto 
a  faithful  Creator." 

The  happiness  of  man  consists,  not  in  an  exemption 
from  trials,  but  in  having  his  will  swallowed  up  in  the 
will  of  God.  For  this  we  are  taught  to  pray  :  "  Thy 
will  be  done  in  earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven."  Just  in  pro- 
portion as  we  approximate  to  the  unreserved  obedience 
of  the  heavenly  host,  we  shall  be  happy.  Our  trials  are 
sent  for  this  very  purpose — to  mould  our  will  into  the  di- 
vine will,  and  consequently  to  make  us  holy  and  happy. 

From  these  few  reflections,  it  is  evident,  that  the 
advantages  which  believers  derive  from  sanctified  afflic- 
tions are  many  and  great. 

In  affliction,  we  often  detect  the  sin  which  most 
easily  besets  us.  This  is  the  most  difficult  sin  to  find 
out,  though  the  most  in  operation,  on  account  of  its 
blinding  and  deceiving  nature.  We  have  therefore 
cause  to  bless  God  for  showing  to  us  the  accursed  thing, 
and  wherefore  he  contendeth  with  us. 

In  affliction,  we  obtain  clear  views  of  the  insufficiency 
of  all  earthly  things.  A  dark  shade  is  thrown  over  the 
smiling  scenes  of  busy  life.  We  discover  the  little  value 
of  those  possessions,  the  attainment  of  which  once  ap- 
peared so  desirable. 

In  affliction,  we  learn  to  estimate,  above  all  treasures, 
an  assured  interest  in  Jesus  Christ.  The  blessedness  of 
the  believer  is  then  felt  and  acknowledged.  His  peace 
of  mind,  and  hope  of  glory,  the  fruits  of  saving  faith,  are 
esteemed  more  precious  than  rubies. 

In  affliction,  the  promises  of  God's  holy  word  are 
sweeter  than  honey  and  the  honey-comb.  They  are 
sacred  cordials  administered  by  infinite  love,  to  revive 
and  strengthen  the  drooping  saint. 

Thus,  whilst  the  prosperous  worldling  in  the  midst  of 
his  abundance  despises  the  "  hidden  manna ;"  the  con- 


AFFLICTION.  335 

trite  believer  in  his  heaviest  trials  can  extract  sweetness 
"from  the  wormwood  and  the  gall."  A  Saviour's  love, 
experienced  in  the  soul,  renders  all  palatable,  however 
distasteful  to  our  nature. 

If  man  had  never  sinned,  suffering  had  been  un- 
known ;  but  having  lost  the  divine  image,  Infinite  Wis- 
dom is  pleased  to  appoint  sundry  trials,  as  means  in  his 
hands  for  restoring  us  to  that  filial  spirit  which  we  lost 
through  the  fall.  Sanctified  affliction  can  bend  the  stub- 
born will,  and  bring  us  to  the  frame  and  temper  of  little 
children. 

Hence  we  find  in  Scripture  much  to  this  effect : 
"  Despise  not  thou  the  chastening  of  the  Lord,  nor 
faint  when  thou  art  rebuked  of  him  ;  for  whom  the 
Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth,  and  scourgeth  every  son 
whom  he  receiveth.  If  ye  endure  chastening,  God 
dealeth  with  you  as  with  sons  ;  for  what  son  is  he, 
whom  the  father  chasteneth  not  ?  Shall  we  not  be  in 
subjection  to  the  Father  of  spirits  and  live?  He  chastens 
us  for  our  profit,  that  we  might  be  partakers  of  his  holi- 
ness. Now  no  chastening  for  the  present  seemeth  to  be 
joyous,  but  grievous  ;  nevertheless  afterward  it  yieldeth 
the  peaceable  fruit  of  righteousness  unto  them  which 
are  exercised  thereby:  wherefore  lift  up  the  hands  which 
hang  down,  and  the  feeble  knees,  and  make  straight 
paths  for  your  feet,  lest  that  which  is  lame  be  turned 
out  of  the  way,  but  let  it  rather  be  healed." 

Under  affliction,  the  believer  is  like  a  city  set  on  a  hill. 
His  faith  and  patience,  his  meekness  and  resignation, 
cannot  be  hid.  They  manifest  the  reality  of  his  reli- 
gion, and  prove  to  an  unbelieving  world  the  blessedness 
of  serving  God.  His  mind  is  kept  in  perfect  peace.  His 
heart  is  full  of  holy  joy.  He  lies  as  clay  in  the  hands 
of  the  potter  ;  and  with  his  suffering  Saviour  he  can  say, 
"Father,  not  my  will,  but  thine  be  done."     If  doubts 


336  AFFLICTION. 

and  fears  are  permitted  to  overshadow  his  soul,  they 
only  resemble  the  dark  clouds  which  pass  athwart  a 
summer's  sky.  The  manifestation  of  a  Saviour's  love 
soon  dispels  the  gloom. 

The  afflicted  believer  is  stirred  up  to  closer  commu- 
nion with  God.  He  girds  his  loins.  He  trims  his  lamp. 
He  waits  for  the  coming  of  his  Lord  in  the  daily  exercise 
of  faith  and  prayer.  When  his  trials  are  heavy,  his 
prayers  are  more  fervent  and  frequent ;  for  the  same 
wind  which  extinguishes  a  less  fire,  causes  the  greater 
to  burn  with  increased  intenseness.  What  saith  our 
divine  Master  1  "  Because  iniquity  shall  abound,  the 
love  of  many  will  wax  cold ;"  but,  "  he  that  endureth 
unto  the  end,  the  same  shall  be  saved." 

In  seasons  of  deep  distress,  Satan  is  sometimes  very 
busy  in  suggesting  hard  thoughts  of  God,  exciting 
doubts,  and  creating  murmurings.  Many  battles  are 
then  fought,  and  the  faith  and  love  of  the  believer  are 
tried  to  the  uttermost.  But  he  who  is  in  him,  is  greater 
than  he  who  is  in  the  world.  Jesus,  who  vanquished 
Satan  in  our  nature,  by  his  Spirit,  destroys  the  power 
of  the  adversary  in  the  hearts  of  his  people.  Thus,  he 
enables  them  to  rise  superior  to  all  their  trials,  through 
his  grace  which  is  sufficient  for  them. 

In  tribulation,  the  child  of  God  experiences  many 
sweet  tokens  of  his  heavenly  Father's  care.  His  sick 
chamber  is  the  abode  of  grace,  mercy,  and  peace,  The 
bright  beams  of  hope  dispel  the  gloom  which  gathers 
round  the  grave,  and  raises  his  enraptured  soul  far  above 
a  sorrowing  world.  At  such  a  season  of  unspeakable 
delight,  his  heart  is  loosened  from  every  earthly  tie; 
and  in  the  language  of  the  exulting  apostle,  he  can  say, 
"  Oh  death,  where  is  thy  sting  ?  Oh  grave,  where  is  thy 
victory  V9 

Thus  affliction  has  a  two-fold  effect.    Like  the  wintry 


AFFLICTION.  337 

blast,  it  kills  the  noxious  weeds  of  lust,  pride,  and  covet- 
ousness  ;  while,  like  the  genial  warmth  of  summer,  it 
cherishes  all  the  kindly  graces  of  the  Spirit,  humility, 
purity,  and  love. 

Many  persons  are  apt  to  imagine  that  if  they  are  not 
deeply  afflicted,  in  some  way  or  other,  they  cannot  be  the 
children  of  God.  We  see  instances,  however,  of  excel- 
lent characters  passing  through  life  with  comparatively 
few  trials,  and  yet  maintaining  a  peculiar  spirituality  of 
mind.  There  is  certainly  no  necessary  connexion  between 
affliction  and  resignation,  or  prosperity   and  gratitude. 

When  adversity  meets  a  man  destitute  of  grace,  it 
stirs  up  within  him  a  rebellious  spirit  against  the  moral 
government  of  God  ;  or,  at  least,  it  calls  forth  his  natural 
corruption  into  more  active  operation. 

When  prosperity  pours  its  profusion  upon  an  uncon- 
verted person,  it  tends  to  foster  all  the  evils  of  pride, 
insolence,  and  independence  ;  so  that  the  man  almost 
forgets  that  he  is  mortal,  a  being  accountable  to  his 
Maker.  It  is  grace  alone  which  makes  all  the  real  dif- 
ference between  one  man  and  another.  "  By  the  jrace 
of  God,"  said  St.  Paul,  "  I  am  what  I  am."  And  to  the 
Corinthians  he  adduced  this  argument  ?s  a  ground  for 
humility  :  "  Who  maketh  thee  to  differ  from  -mother  1 
And  what  hast  thou,  that  thou  didst  not  receive  1  Now 
if  thou  didst  receive  it,  why  dost  thou  glory  as  if  thou 
hadst  not  received  it  ?' 

We  may  therefore  conclude,  that  when  affliction  ren- 
ders a  man  humble,  and  resigned  to  the  will  of  God  ; 
when  it  tends  to  wean  him  from  the  world,  and  produces 
a  change  in  his  whole  spirit  and  conduct ;  it  is  because 
the  God  of  all  grace  is  employing  it  as  a  mean  whereby 
to  lead  him  to  deep  consideration  ;  and,  through  the  ac- 
companying power  of  the  Spirit,  to  true  repentance,  faith, 
and  holiness. 

29 


S38  AFFLICTION. 

So,  when  in  prosperity  the  heart  expands  with  benevo- 
lence ;  when  a  man  is  cheerfully  employed  in  diffusing 
a  portion  of  that  comfort  around  him  which  he  himself 
enjoys  ;  when  he  is  laboring  to  glorify  his  Redeemer,  by 
aiding  those  institutions  which  have  for  their  object  the 
dissemination  of  divine  truth  ;  when  he  is  led  to  consider 
himself  as  a  steward  of  the  manifold  gifts  of  God ;  and 
when  all  this  is  accompanied  with  true  humility,  unosten- 
tatiousness,  and  self-denial :  then  we  may  safely  conclude 
that  God  has  blessed  his  basket  and  his  store  ;  that  all 
his  fruitfulness  is  the  effect  of  grace  alone,  and  not  the 
natural  consequence  of  mere  worldly  abundance. 

How  precious,  then,  is  the  grace  of  God  !  Natural 
evils  are  converted  into  spiritual  blessings,  when  thus 
sanctified  by  divine  grace  ;  and,  without  this  grace,  natu- 
ral blessings,  such  as  health,  plenty,  friends,  and  influ- 
ence, become  snares  and  excitements  to  sin  and  rebellion. 

Oh,  then,  let  me  ever  pray  for  grace  to  use  both  afflic- 
tion and  prosperity  aright.  Lord,  impart  unto  me  this 
inestimable  treasure.  When  thou  givest  grace,  thou 
givest  thyself:   "  Thyself,  of  all  thy  gifts  the  crown." 

Be  still,  my  soul,  and  know  the  Lord, 

In  meek  submission  wait  his  will  j 
His  presence  can  true  peace  afford, 

His  power  can  shield  from  every  ill. 

Thy  path  is  strew'd  with  piercing  thorns ; 

Each  step  is  gain'd  by  arduous  fight 
Yet  wait,  till  hope's  bright  morning  dawns, 

Till  darkness  changes  into  light. 

Soon  shall  the  painful  conflict  cease ; 

Soon  shall  the  raging  storm  be  o'er ; 
Soon  shalt  thou  reach  the  realm  of  peace, 

Where  suffering  shall  be  known  no  more 

There  shall  thy  joy  for  ever  flow 

In  one  unbroken  stream  of  bliss  ; 
There  shalt  thou  God  the  Saviour  know, 

And  feel  him  thine  as  thou  art  hia. 


CHARACTER  OF  MARTHA  AND  MARY.       339 


LVI. — ON  THE  CHARACTER  OF  MARTHA  AND  MARY. 

With  what  beautiful  simplicity  is  the  interview  be- 
tween Jesus  and  the  sisters  of  Lazarus  related  by  St. 
Luke,  in  the  10th  chapter  of  his  Gospel. 

How  gentle  and  yet  how  forcible  is  the  reproof  which 
our  Lord  gave  to  Martha.  How  gracious  the  testimony 
which  he  bore  to  the  piety  of  Mary.  Mary  sat  at  Jesus' 
feet  and  heard  his  words.  Happy  and  favored  station  ! 
She  sat  at  the  feet  of  him  who  is  infinite  wisdom,  and 
heard,  with  teachableness  and  delight,  those  gracious 
truths  which  proceeded  from  his  lips.  The  Lord  inclined 
her  heart,  as  he  did  Lydia's,  to  attend  unto  the  things 
which  he  spake  unto  her.  His  words  fell  like  good  seed 
into  a  soil  prepared  by  sovereign  grace,  and  brought  forth 
the  blessed  fruits  of  righteousness. 

Martha  was  cumbered  with  much  serving,  and  careful 
about  many  things.  Her  mind  was  ruffled  at  the  ap- 
parent inattention  of  Mary,  who  had  left  her  to  serve 
alone.  But  Jesus,  instead  of  reproving,  bestows  hia 
commendation  on  Mary's  conduct ;  since  he  came  to 
their  house,  not  for  the  purpose  of  feasting  himself  with 
their  earthly  dainties,  but  to  feast  them  with  the  delicious 
truths  of  Gospel  grace. 

This  family  picture  is  often  exhibited  in  the  Christian 
world.  We  are  naturally  more  inclined  to  the  bustle  of 
religious  occupations,  than  the  retired  devotional  exer- 
cises of  meditation  and  prayer. 

Martha's  hospitality  was  in  itself  commendable,  and 
sprang  from  love  to  her  Saviour  ;  but  the  hurried  state 
of  her  mind,  and  the  neglect  of  a  precious  season  for 
spiritual  improvement,  were  highly  reprehensible.  She 
forgot  her  own  spiritual  wants,  and  the  great  object  of 


340       CHARACTER  OF  MARTHA  AND  MARY. 

Christ's  visit.  She  was  cumbered  with  much  serving. 
Her  spirit  got  ruffled.  An  improper  feeling  carried  her 
away  beyond  the  bounds  of  affection  and  decorum.  She 
even  interrupted  our  Lord  in  his  discourse  with  Mary,  and 
wished  him  to  dismiss  her  with  a  suitable  reproof  for 
neglecting  her  household  concerns.  "  Lord,  dost  thou 
not  care  that  my  sister  hath  left  me  to  serve  alone  1  bid 
her,  therefore,  that  she  help  me."  The  reproof,  however, 
unexpectedly  fell  upon  herself.  "  Martha,  Martha,  thou 
art  careful  and  tr  ubled  about  many  things,  but  one 
tiling  is  needful ;  and  Mary  hath  chosen  that  good  part, 
which  shall  not  be  taken  away  from  her."  This  faith- 
ful admonition  was  no  doubt  sanctified  to  her ;  for 
"Jesus  loved  ^Martha,  and  her  sister,  and  Lazarus." 

We  cannot  contemplate  this  family  scene  without  be- 
ing struck  with  the  value  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit, 
which  is  in  the  sight  of  God  of  great  price. 

A  mind  active  and  ardent,  alive  to  neglect  and  sus- 
ceptible of  irritation,  is  generally  admired  by  the  world, 
as  indicatix  e  of  a  noble  spirit ;  whilst  a  retired,  noiseless, 
yet  humble  and  obedient  frame  of  heart,  is  ridiculed  or 
despised,  as  low  and  unmanly. 

But  the  Lord  seeth  not  as  man  seeth.  Man  looketh  at 
the  outward  appearance,  but  God  looketh  at  the  heart. 
That  which  is  highly  esteemed  amongst  men,  is  an 
abomination  in  the  sight  of  God. 

Like  Mary,  I  too  am  privileged  to  sit  at  Jesus'  feet ; 
for  when  I  read  the  Holy  Scriptures,  I  read  the  word  of 
Jesus.  When  I  hear  the  Gospel  faithfully  preached,  I 
hear  the  Gospel  of  Jesus.  With  what  reverence,  then, 
should  I  l'sten  to  the  words  of  eternal  truth  :  with  what 
delight  should  I  receive  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation, 
proclaimed  by  him  who  came  down  from  heaven  to  seek 
and  to  save  that  which  was  lost ;  and  who  hath  gra- 
ciously declared,  that  all  who  look  unto  him,  who  come 


CHARACTER  OF  MARTHA  AND  MARY.       341 

unto  him,  who  receive  him,  and  believe  in  his  name, 
shall  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life. 

Lord,  give  me  faith,  and  hope,  and  love,  that  all  my 
affections  may  be  fixed  upon  thee  ;  and  my  whole  life 
devoted  to  thy  glory.  But  alas  !  how  often  do  I  resem- 
ble Martha  !      Daily  do  I  need  her  salutary  reproof. 

The  various  occupations  and  businesses  of  life ;  the 
multiplied  cares  and  anxieties  about  earthly  things  ;  nay, 
even  the  very  labors  required  in  actively  conducting 
religious  institutions,  have  a  tendency,  without  great 
watchfulness  and  prayer,  to  weary  the  spirits  ;  to  clog 
the  wheels  of  the  mind  in  its  ascent  heavenward  ;  and 
to  render  us  unfit  for  that  tranquil,  spiritual  posture  of 
soul  in  which  Mary  was  found,  when  she  sat  at  her 
Saviour's  feet. 

To  be  actively  employed,  is  good  for  the  Christian ; 
whilst  a  too  great  seclusion  unfits  the  mind  for  general 
usefulness.  There  is,  however,  a  happy  combination  of 
activity  and  retirement,  which  at  once  strengthens  the 
mind,  and  preserves  its  spirituality  from  decay. 

Tbe  characters  presented  to  our  view  in  the  Holy 
Scriptures  are  drawn  by  the  unerring  pencil  of  truth. 
There  we  see  man  as  he  really  is,  both  in  his  best  and 
worst  estate.  The  excellencies  of  the  saints  are  recorded 
with  remarkable  conciseness ;  whilst  their  defects  and 
falls  are  dwelt  upon  with  awful  particularity.  The 
reason  seems  to  be  apparent  :  to  humble  the  natural 
pride  of  man  ;  and  to  demonstrate,  that  he  who  glorieth, 
must  glory  in  the  Lord. 

The  Bible  tells  us  the  unwelcome  truth,  that  "  Man 
in  his  best  estate  is  altogether  vanity  ;"  that  "  there  is 
not  a  just  man  upon  earth,  who  liveth  and  sinneth  not." 
"It  is  absurd,  then,  to  expect  perfection ;  but  not  unrea- 
sonable to  expect  consistency" 

Whilst  I  labor  to  promote  the  spread  of  the  Gospel 
29* 


342       CHARACTER  OF  MARTHA  AND  MART. 

through  the  benighted  regions  of  the  earth,  I  must  be- 
ware lest  I  neglect  to  cultivate,  by  close  communion 
with  Jesus,  the  work  of  grace  in  my  own  soul.  When, 
like  Martha,  I  find  my  mind  cumbered  with  much  serv- 
ing ;  when  I  begin  to  feel  an  increasing  distraction  of 
thought,  and  a  growing  unfitness  for  spiritual  medita- 
tion ;  then  let  me  betake  myself  with  redoubled  frequency 
to  Mary's  happy  station. 

At  the  feet  of  Jesus,  I  am  permitted  to  ask  for  every 
blessing.  In  secret  fervor  of  spirit,  I  may  there  implore 
that  all-sufficient  grace,  which  is  so  freely  promised  to 
all  who  sincerely  seek  the  heavenly  treasure. 

Lord,  enable  me  to  cultivate  diligence  with  devotion ; 
to  employ  my  humble  powers  in  thy  service,  both  in  the 
active  range  of  Christian  benevolence,  and  in  the  passive 
exercise  of  self-denying  resignation.  Mould  my  will  to 
thine.  Let  holy  love.be  the  ever-moving  spring  of  all 
my  actions ;  that  whatsoever  I  do  in  word  or  deed,  I  may 
do  all  with  a  view  to  thy  glory,  and  the  spiritual  good  of 
a  perishing  world. 

Descend,  blest  Spirit,  in  my  heart, 
And  give  me  Mary's  better  part ; 
An  int'rest  in  the  Saviour's  love, 
A  foretaste  of  the  joys  above. 

Dispel  the  darkness  of  the  mind : 
In  thee  alone  sweet  peace  I  find  ; 
Whose  kindly  office  'tis  to  bless, 
Through  Christ  the  Lord,  my  righteousness. 

Oh !  may  I  walk  with  holy  fear, 
Whilst  journeying  as  a  pilgrim  here ; 
Feel  my  weak  soul  by  thee  sustain'd ; 
And  in  the  path  of  life  maintain'd. 

Descend,  blest  Spirit,  from  above, 
Thou  God  of  peace,  of  joy,  and  love, 
Seal  thy  salvation  to  my  heart, 
And  never  from  my  soul  depart 


CHARACTER  OF  THE  BEREANS.         343 


LVII. ON  THE  CHARACTER  OF  THE  EEREANS. 

The  character  and  conduct  of  the  Berean  Jews,  as 
recorded  in  the  17th  chapter  of  Acts,  is  very  instructive. 

As  pride  and  prejudice  shut  out  the  light  of  truth,  so 
humility  and  candor  prepare  the  way  for  its  admission. 

These  Bereans  were  more  nohle  than  those  of  Thessa- 
lonica.  They  were  persons  of  a  more  ingenuous  spirit. 
They  did  not  resort  to  the  base  refuge  of  ridicule  and 
persecution.  They  possessed  a  more  elevated  mind. 
Knowing  the  importance  of  the  apostles'  doctrine  if  true, 
they  judged  it,  not  only  expedient,  but  due  to  the  great- 
ness of  their  message,  to  receive  the  Word.  They  ad- 
mitted them  into  their  synagogue,  and  with  all  readi- 
ness of  mind,  with  a  cheerful  disposition  of  heart,  listened 
to  their  preaching. 

Having  thus  permitted  the  light  to  shine  upon  them, 
they  did  not,  like  the  Thessalonians,  immediately  expel 
it,  by  driving  the  holy  messengers  of  mercy  out  of  their 
city ;  but  they  proceeded  to  search  the  Scriptures.  They 
brought  the  doctrine  of  the  apostles  to  the  test  of  God's 
holy  word.  This  they  did,  not  superficially,  but  carefully ; 
"  they  searched  the  Scriptures."  They  dug  deep  into  the 
sacred  mine.  This  they  did,  not  occasionally,  but  con- 
stantly. "They  searched  the  Scriptures  daily  "  with  un- 
wearied assiduity,  like  those  who  were  in  earnest  to  dis- 
cover the  pure  gold  of  divine  truth.  This  they  did,  not 
critically,  but  sincerely ;  not  to  cavil  with  the  apostles' 
doctrine  by  finding  out  objections  against  it  ;  but  to  see 
"whether  those  things  were  so;"  whether  they  were  so 
revealed  in  the  Scriptures  as  the  apostles  declared  them 
to  be. 

The  eflr  ct  of  this  ready  reception  of  the  word,  of  this 


344  CHARACTER  OF  THE  BEREAN5. 

daily  searching  of  the  Scriptures,  was,  that  they  believed. 
The  Holy  Spirit  graciously  guided  their  inquiring  mlnd3 
into  all  truth,  so  that  they  heartily  embraced  the  word 
of  salvation.  ';  If  any  man  will  do  his  will,  he  shall 
know  of  the  doctrine  whether  it  be  of  God." 

This  blessing  was  not  confined  to  a  few.  It  is  said, 
"many  of  them  believed ;"  also,  "of  honorable  women 
which  were  Greeks,  and  of  men,  not  a  few."  What  a 
bright  example  !  and  what  an  encouragement  is  here  held 
out  to  us ! 

Many  of  the  Jews  of  Thessalonica,  no  doubt,  acted  like 
these  Bereans  ;  for  we  read  in  the  4th  verse,  u  a  great 
multitude  believed."  And  in  that  city,  the  apostles 
planted  a  church,  which  shone  exceedingly  bright  in 
faith  and  love. 

The  carnal  mind,  in  every  place,  is  enmity  against 
God.  Even  in  Berea,  the  unbelieving  Jews  who  came 
from  Thessalonica,  stirred  up  the  people  so  that  it  was 
found  needful  to  send  away  Paul. 

What  a  striking  picture  the  word  of  God  gives  us  of 
the  human  heart  !  We  see  man  under  all  circumstances 
an  enemy  of  God.  Whether  he  live  in  ruder  or  more 
polished  times,  the  heart,  till  renewed  by  grace,  is  the 
seat  of  sin.  Whether  he  be  enveloped  in  ignorance,  or 
enlightened  by  science,  he  naturally  hates  the  pure  and 
holy  lisrht  of  evangelical  truth. 

The  sensual  shuns  its  purifying,  the  self-righteous  its 
humbling,  tendency.  All,  without  exception,  love  dark- 
ness rather  than  light,  because  their  deeds  are  evil. 

Yet,  God  has  never  left  himself  without  witness.  In 
every  age  he  has  had  a  seed  to  serve  him,  who  are  ac- 
counted to  the  Lord  for  a  generation.  Neither  hath  he 
ever  left  his  people  without  sufficient  evidence,  whereby 
to  prove  the  truth  of  his  own  revealed  will  respecting 
them.     Among  the  many  facts  which  may  be  adduced 


CHARACTER  OF  THE  BEREAXS.  345 

lo  prove  the  divine  inspiration  of  the  Bible,  the  two  fol- 
lowing may  perhaps  deserve  some  notice. 

First — as  it  respects  the  Old  Testament. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  Jews  were  never  either  a 
philosophical,  or  a  literary  people.  There  are  no  works 
amongst  their  ancient  uninspired  authors  which  can  lay 
any  claim  to  genius.  Yet  the  books  of  their  prophetg 
surpass  all  the  celebrated  writers  of  antiquity.  "What 
heathen  poet,  however  laurelled  by  admiring  ages,  can 
exceed  the  sublimity  of  their  conceptions,  the  grandeur 
of  their  descriptions,  and  the  exquisite  taste  and  beauty 
of  their  imagery,  when  describing  the  glorious  majesty 
and  unsullied  purity  of  the  one,  only  true  God  ; — the 
works  of  his  hands — the  ways  of  his  providence — and  the 
wonders  of  his  love  1 

How  skilfully  do  they  dissect  the  human  haart,  and 
delineate  to  the  very  life  t'.ie  character  of  man  in  his 
lapsed  and  restored  condition.  How  pure  are  the  pre- 
cepts, how  precious  the  promises,  how  awful  the  threat- 
enings,  how  solemn  the  warnings,  with  which  their 
writings  abound  ! 

When  contrasted  with  the  fables  of  the  heathen  poets  ; 
witli  their  deification  of  the  worst  passions  of  mankind  ; 
with  the  impure  character  which  they  give  to  their 
gods  ;  though  embellished  by  all  the  flowers  of  rhetoric, 
and  sweetened  by  the  enchanting  flow  of  numbers  :  it 
must  surely  convince  every  unprejudiced  mind,  that 
such  writings  as  the  Jewish  prophets  have  left  for  the 
benefit  of  mankind,  cannot  be  the  product  of  unassisted 
fallen  reason,  but  the  gracious  revelation  of  the  Divixe 
Spirit,  under  whose  influence  these  holy  men  both 
spake  and  wrote. 

Secondly — as  it  respects  the  New  Testament. 

The  writers  of  the  New  Testament,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  St.  Luke  and  St.  Paul,  were  men  of  no  educa- 


346         CHARACTER  OF  THE  BEREANS. 

tion  ;  and  yet  their  writings  are  the  only  standard  of 
truth,  respecting  the  character  and  work  of  the  Saviour 
of  the  world.  These  unlettered  men  elevated  the  stand- 
ard of  morals  to  the  highest  pitch,  and  revealed  those 
heavenly  principles  which  alone  are  able  to  restore  man 
to  the  lost  image  of  his  Maker.  So  did  not  the  most 
renowned  and  wisest  philosophers  of  antiquity.  The 
authors  who  immediately  followed  the  said  writers, 
called  the  primitive  fathers,  fell  into  many  fancies,  and 
even  errors,  on  certain  points;  as  if  it  had  been  permit- 
ted, in  order  to  draw  the  line  of  distinction  between 
divine  inspiration,  and  the  ordinary  illumination  of  the 
human  mind,  more  clear  and  denned. 

But  the  two  great  evidences  for  the  truth  of  Chris- 
tianity, are  Miracles  and  Prophecy. 

At  the  time  when  the  Lord  Jesus  declared  himself  to 
be  the  Messiah,  and  proclaimed  the  glad  tidings  of  salva- 
tion to  a  lost  world,  miracles  were  needful,  in  order  to 
prove  the  truth  of  his  mission,  to  manifest  the  divine 
approbation  to  his  doctrines,  and  to  fulfil  the  prophetic 
character  of  the  Messiah,  as  recorded  in  the  35th  chapter 
of  Isaiah. 

Miracles  were  also  necessary  after  his  ascension,  to 
evidence  the  truth  of  those  doctrines  propagated  every- 
where by  his  apostles,  which  declared  Jesus  to  be  the 
Son  of  God,  the  true  Messiah,  the  Saviour  of  the  world. 
When  these  doctrines  were  thus  fully  attested,  by  the 
power  of  God  accompanying  the  preaching  of  the  cross, 
miracles  ceased  in  the  church,  as  being  no  longer  needed. 

Yet  a  still  more  important  evidence  was  reserved  for 
future  ages,  no  less  declarative  of  the  divine  approbation 
to  the  Christian  religion  than  miracles  ;  and  that  evi- 
dence is  prophecy.  The  gradual  fulfilment  of  those 
prophecies  which  were  foretold  by  Christ  and  his  apos- 
tles, may  be  considered  as  a  standing  miracle  ;  since  it  is 


CHARACTER  OF  THE  BEREANS.         347 

utterly  beyond  the  power  of  man  to  insure  the  accom- 
plishment of  any  predicted  event  independently  of  the 
will  and  purpose  of  God. 

Any  man  may  predict,  but  the  accomplishment  must 
prove  the  truth  of  the  prediction. 

Christ,  as  God  in  our  nature,  foretold  what  should  come 
to  pass  through  his  own  prescience.  The  prophets  and 
apostles,  as  his  servants,  spake  under  the  immediate  in- 
fluence of  his  Spirit  dwelling  in  them.  (1  Peter  i,  10,  11.) 
Thus  the  prophecies  which  have  been  fulfilled,  and 
which  are  now  fulfilling,  and  which  still  remain  to  be 
fulfilled  to  the  end  of  time,  form  a  chain  of  evidence  to 
the  divine  origin  of  Christianity,  which  Satan  and  his 
emissaries  can  never  destroy. 

These  two  external  evidences,  of  miracles  and  prophe- 
cy, taken  together  with  the  whole  character  of  the  blessed 
Jesus,  answering  in  every  minute  particular  to  the  an- 
cient prophecies  of  the  Old  Testament ;  and  also  in  con- 
nexion with  the  internal  evidence  of  the  Gospel,  arising 
from  its  agreement  with  the  nature  of  God  ;  and  its 
adaptation  to  the  wants  of  fallen  man  :  ought,  yea,  and 
will,  satisfy  every  honest  inquirer  after  truth  that  Chris- 
tianity  is  of  God. 

Such  an  one,  through  grace,  will  be  led  to  acknowl- 
edge with  heart-felt  gratitude,  like  the  Bereans  of  old, 
that  Jesus  Christ  is  God  manifest  in  the  flesh;  the  only 
Saviour  and  hope  of  perishing  sinners. 

The  joyful  exclamation  of  such  an  enlightened  soul 
will  be,  "  we  have  found  him  of  whom  Moses  in  the  law 
and  the  prophets  did  write."  And  should  any  sceptic 
reply,  "  Can  there  any  good  thing  come  out  of  Naza- 
reth ]"     The  simple  answer  will  be  :   "  Come  and  see." 

In  every  age,  a  generation  of  men  has  sprung  up, 
the  Serpent's  brood,  who  have  labored  to  bring  the  word 
of  eternal  truth  into  discredit  by  false  statements  and 


348         CHARACTER  OF  THE  BEREANS. 

sophistries  of  every  kind.  "  Thy  word  is  tried  to  the 
uttermost,  therefore  thy  servant  loveth  it,"  was  the  lan- 
guage of  David  in  his  day. 

It  may  appear  strange,  in  this  age  of  light  and  inform 
ation,  that  the  New  Testament  should  be  arraigned  by 
modern  infidels  as  the  most  immoral  book  that  is  extant. 
Surely  this  must  be  the  dying  gasp  of  imidelity  ;  for 
what  can  be  more  feeble  than  such  an  attack  ?  They 
may  as  well  assert  that  the  sun,  when  shining  without  a 
cloud  in  its  meridian  splendor,  is  the  darkest  part  of  the 
visible  creation.  The  sun  is  indeed  as  darkness  to  those 
who  are  blind  ;  and  so  are  the  things  of  God  to  those  who 
are  unenlightened  by  the  spirit  of  truth. 

How  strange  !  A  Roman  emperor  placed  a  statue  of 
Jesus  amongst  his  idol  deities,  on  account  of  the  excel- 
lence of  his  moral  precepts ;  whilst  modern  infidels, 
reaping  the  benefits  of  his  morality  in  the  inestimable 
blessings  of  established  governments,  dare,  in  defiance 
of  common  sense,  common  honesty,  and  common  expe- 
rience, to  denounce  the  holy  Gospel  of  Jesu«  as  the 
chief  of  immoralities ! 

It  is  truly  awful  to  behold,  how  far  men  may  travel  in 
the  roa^  0f  sin  and  rebellion  against  the  Almighty  Gov- 
ernor of  the  universe. 

Is  there  in  the  whole  world  a  morality  so  elevated,  so 
pure,  so  influential,  as  the  morality  of  the  Gospel  ?  We 
need  only  compare  the  lives  of  those  who  reject  the 
Christian  revelation,  with  the  lives  of  those  who  truly 
believe  it,  and  live  under  its  purifying  influence,  in  order 
to  ascertain  where  true  morality  is  to  be  found. 

It  lies  in  the  pages  of  the  Bible,  and  is  exhibited  in 
the  spirit  and  conduct  of  its  sincere  believers. 

The  history  of  the  church  in  all  ages  attests  this  de- 
lightful truth,  that,  "  the  Gospel  of  Christ  is  the  power 
of  God  unto  salvation   to  every  one  that  bLdieveth." 


CHARACTER  OF  THE  BEREANS.  310 

Men  ot  the  most  savage  natures  have  become  mild;  the 
m?st  impure  have  become  chaste  ;  the  most  ungoverna- 
ble have  become  obedient.  In  short,  the  whole  moral 
change  from  darkness  to  light,  from  sin  to  holiness,  from 
Satan  unto  God,  has  been  effected  solely  by  the  Spirit 
of  God,  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  Gospel  of 
Christ 

Oh  !  blessed  Sun  of  righteousness,  thou  who  art  the 
light  of  the  world,  let  thy  bright  beams  shine  upon  it, 
that  the  deep  shades  of  error,  superstition,  and  sin,  may 
flee  before  thy  powerful  rays,  till  all  the  earth  shall  be 
filled  with  thy  glory. 

Shine,  blessed  Jesus,  upon  thy  church.  Let  all  thy 
people  become  burning  and  shining  lights  in  the  world, 
shining  by  reflection  to  thy  glory.  Illuminate  my  dark 
mind.  Take  away  the  thick  film  from  my  mental 
vision.  Remove  the  veil  from  my  heart,  and  let  me 
behold  thy  glory  with  unveiled  face.  Yea,  let  me  daily 
contemplate  thy  glorious  character,  offices,  and  perfec- 
tions, till  I  am  changed  into  thy  holy  image,  and  made 
meet  for  the  enjoyment  of  thy  heavenly  kingdom. 

How  rich,  how  varied  are  the  themes, 

The  sacred  page  contains, 
Like  oceans  deep,  or  lucid  streams 

That  fertilize  the  plains. 

Here,  humble  souls  are  sweetly  taught 

Salvation  through  his  blood  ; 
By  whom  alone  mankind  are  brought 

To  happiness  and  God. 

Here,  lofty  philosophic  minds, 

Deep  versed  in  learned  lore, 
Are  lost  amid  those  vast  designs 

The  cherubim  adore. 

The  sacred  mysteries  of  grace 

Confound  their  reasoning  pride ; 
They  see  no  beauty  in  His  face, 

Who  bow'd  his  head  and  died. 

30 


350  LIVING    WATER. 

But  firm  as  on  a  solid  rock, 
The  saint  on  Christ  relies ; 

He  smiles  in  death's  dissolving  shock, 
And  mounts  into  the  skies ! 


LVIII. ON    THE    LIVING    WATER. 

How  beautifully  instructive  is  our  Saviour's  conver- 
sation with  the  woman  of  Samaria,  whilst  sitting, 
wearied  with  his  journey,  on  Jacob's  well ! 

What  an  example  to  his  followers  does  the  benevolent 
Redeemer  exhibit,  of  condescension  to  ignorance,  and  of 
affectionate  improvement  of  trivial  occurrences  to  the 
spiritual  good  of  all  around  us ! 

The  human  mind,  till  taught  of  God,  is  equally  blind, 
whether  clothed  in  the  imposing  vestment  of  a  Jewish 
doctor,  or  in  the  simple  attire  of  a  Samaritan  female. 
Nicodemus  was  as  ignorant  respecting  the  nature  of  the 
new  birth,  as  this  poor  woman  was  of  the  living  water. 

Human  learning,  though  called  theological,  can  never 
make  us  savingly  acquainted  with  the  first  principles  of 
the  Gospel  of  Christ.  Many  an  unlettered  peasant  may 
be  a  scribe  well  instructed  in  the  mysteries  of  the  king- 
dom ;  whilst  the  learned  doctor,  filling  the  professor's 
chair,  may  be  a  very  babe  in  the  things  of  Christ.  This 
view  is  humiliating  to  the  pride  of  man,  and  should 
teach  us  to  call  no  man  master  upon  earth :  but  in  child- 
like simplicity  to  sit  at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  and  drink  of 
that  living  water,  which  alone  can  purify  and  refresh 
our  souls. 

How  delightful  is  the  thought,  that  Jesus,  the  Saviour 
and  friend  of  sinners,  is  the  giver  of  this  spiritual  bless- 


LIVING    WATER.  351 

ing!  "If  thou  knewest  the  gift  of  God,  and  who  it  is 
that  saith  unto  thee,  Give  me  to  drink,  thou  wouldst 
have  asked  of  him,  and  he  would  have  given  thee  living 
water." 

How  consoling  the  truth,  that  this  living  water  shall 
be  in  all  his  believing  people  as  a  well  of  water,  not 
drying  up  as  earthly  springs  too  frequently  do  when 
most  wanted;  but  daily  rising  higher  and  higher,  till  it 
issue  into  everlasting  life. 

"Jesus  answered  and  said  unto  her,  whosoever  drink- 
eth  of  this  water  (the  well  of  Jacob)  shall  thirst  again : 
but.  whosoever  drinketh  of  the  water  that  I  shall  give 
him,  shall  never  thirst :  but  the  writer  that  I  shall  give 
him,  shall  be  in  him  a  well  of  water  springing  up  into 
everlasting  life." 

The  joys  of  earth  are  only  top  springs.  Many  are 
delighted  with  these  bubbling  waters  in  seasons  of  out- 
ward prosperity.  But  in  adverse  times,  when  comfort  is 
most  needed,  they  become  wells  without  water. 

Where,  then,  must  the  poor  worldling  go  to  quench, 
his  thirst?  He  must  go  to  Jesus.  "If  any  man  thirst, 
let  him  come  unto  me  and  drink."  "Whosoever  will, 
let  him  take  of  the  water  of  life  freely." 

The  Holy  Spirit  is  this  living  water,  whose  sacred 
streams  can  satisfy  the  most  thirsty  soul  with  joys  which 
strengthen  and  purify  the  heart.  He  who  drinks  of  this 
fountain,  shall  thirst  no  more  as  once  he  did.  His  thirst 
shall  now  be  after  righteousness  ;  after  the  enjoyment  of 
God  himself.  Blessed  thirst !  Oh !  that  I  could  feel 
tnis  thirst  increasing  every  hour;  and  every  hour  betake 
myself  to  this  spring. 

But  what  says  the  Saviour  1  It  shall  be  in  you  a  welt 
of  water  springing  up  into  everlasting  life.  Happy  ex- 
perience, when  sensibly  enjoyed  !  Have  I  this  precious 
internal  spring]     Have  I  the  Spirit  of  Christ?     This 


352  LIVING    WATER. 

forms  the  grand  indisputable  evidence  of  being  a  child 
of  God,  an  heir  of  glory. 

Were  the  whole  world  my  own,  I  could  find  no  real 
happiness  separate  from  Jesus  Christ.  There  are  indeed 
many  counterfeits  which  bear  the  image  and  super- 
scription of  happiness,  but  all  shall  finally  be  detected, 
and  leave  their  possessors  miserably  poor. 

"  Man  who  is  born  of  a  woman  is  of  few  years  and  full 
of  trouble."  Such  is  the  portrait  which  Job  draws  of 
human  life.  But  man  was  created  happy,  and  would 
have  remained  so,  had  not  Satan  beguiled  him  into  sin. 

Yet  being  "full  of  trouble,"  he  naturally  desires  rest. 
Hence  all  men  are  in  quest  of  happiness,  and  every  one 
expects  to  find  it.  Many  fancy  that  they  have  obtained 
it,  and  wrap  themselves  up  in  this  fond  conceit,  till  death 
hurls  them  headlong  down  the  precipice  into  the  burn- 
ing gulf  below  ! 

While  we  view  the  many  millions  of  mankind  in 
search  of  some  imaginary  good,  and  greatly  thirsting 
after  it,  how  gracious,  how  condescending  is  the  invita- 
tion of  mercy  to  the  only  fountain  of  true  felicity:  "Ho, 
every  one  that  thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the  waters ;  and  he 
that  hath  no  money,  come  ye,  buy  and  eat;  yea  come, 
buy  wine  and  milk,  without  money  and  without  price." 

A  world  thirsting  after  happiness,  but  mistaking  its 
true  nature  and  source,  is  here  most  lovingly,  most 
freely  invited  to  accept  of  the  inestimable  blessing. 
"  Wherefore  do  ye  spend  money  for  that  which  is  not 
bread,  and  your  labor  for  that  which  satisfieth  not?"  is 
the  powerful  appeal  to  the  hearts  and  consciences  of 
sinners. 

Much  labor  and  expense  are  bestowed  towards  obtain- 
ing some  supposed  good :  but  being  altogether  of  an 
earthly  nature,  it  cannot  nourish  the  soul,  or  satisfy  its 
enlarged  desires.     Hence  follows  this  gracious  declaia- 


LIVING    WATER.  353 

tion:  "hearken  diligently  unto  me,  and  eat  ye  that 
which  is  good,  and  let  your  soul  delight  itself  in  fatness. 
Incline  your  ear  and  come  unto  me,  hear  and  your  soul 
shall  live,  and  I  will  make  an  everlasting  covenant  with 
you,  even  the  sure  mercies  of  David." 

Oh  !  what  rich  display  of  grace  is  here.  Well  may  the 
Almighty  say,  "  my  thoughts  are  not  your  thoughts  : 
neither  are  your  ways  my  ways."  But  it  does  not  stop 
here.  The  voice  of  mercy  still  cries,  "  seek  ye  the  Lord 
while  he  may  he  found;  call  ye  upon  him  while  he  is 
near  ;"  evidently  implying  that  a  time  is  coming  wThen 
he  will  not  be  found  ;  an  hour  is  approaching,  when  he 
will  not  hear.  He  is  now  waiting  to  be  gracious,  and 
may  be  found  in  Christ  upon  a  mercy-seat,  to  bless*  every 
returning  penitent.  But  if  the  day  of  grace  be  once 
ended  ;  if  death  find  the  sinner  still  impenitent  and  un- 
believing, the  Lord  will  be  found  indeed,  but  found 
seated  on  a  throne  of  judgment ;  and  the  wretched 
criminal  will  be  driven  far  from  his  presence,  never 
more  to  hear  the  sweet  call  of  slighted  mercy. 

In  this  beautiful  invitation  to  a  world  of  sinners,  grace 
reigns  through  righteousness ;  for  it  is  added,  "  let  the 
wicked  forsake  his  way,  and  the  unrighteous  man  his 
thoughts,  and  let  him  return  unto  the  Lord,  and  he  will 
have  mercy  upon  him  ;  and  to  our  God,  for  he  will 
abundantly  pardon." 

A  sweet  assurance  of  joy  and  peace  is  given  to  every 
sinner,  who  thus,  through  grace,  turns  unto  the  Lord 
with  a  true  penitent  heart  and  lively  faith  :  "  he  shall 
go  out  with  joy,  and  be  led  forth  with  peace  :  the  moun- 
tains and  the  hills  shall  break  forth  before  you  into 
singing,  and  all  the  trees  of  the  field  shall  clap  their 
hands." 

Here  is  nothing  but  joy  and  rejoicing ! — Oh  !  what  a 
precious  salvation  !     The  ransomed  soul  shall  be  filled 

30* 


354  LIVING   WATER. 

with  joy  and  peace  through  believing.  "  There  is  joy 
in  the  presence  of  the  angels  of  God,  over  one  sinner 
that  repenteth."  The  ministers  of  Christ  ardently  long 
after  and  rejoice  in  the  conversion  of  sinners.  "  My 
heart's  desire  and  prayer  to  God  for  Israel  is,  that  they 
might  be  saved."  "  God  is  my  record,  how  greatly  I 
long  after  you  all  in  the  bowels  of  Jesus  Christ."  "  I 
have  no  greater  joy  than  to  hear  that  my  children  walk 
in  tru'h."     Such  were  the  feelings  of  Paul  and  John. 

The  whole  church  rejoices  to  behold  the  wandering 
sheep  brought  safe  into  the  fold ;  and  heartily  welcomes 
the  chief  of  sinners,  when  he  becomes  the  loving  dis- 
ciple of  her  beloved  Lord.  "  They  had  heard  only,  that 
he  which  persecuted  us  in  times  past,  now  preacheth 
the  faith  which  once  he  destroyed,  and  they  glorified 
God  in  me."  So  wrote  Paul  to  the  church  in  Galatia, 
respecting  his  reception  by  the  apostles  at  Jerusalem. 

The  Almighty  himself  thus  addresses  his  beloved 
people,  redeemed  through  the  blood  of  Jesus  :  "  The 
Lord  thy  God  in  the  midst  of  thee  is  mighty ;  he  will 
save,  he  will  rejoice  over  thee  with  joy ;  he  will  rest  in 
his  love  ;  he  will  joy  over  thee  with  singing."  Thus 
the  Lord  will  bless  the  righteous,  and  with  favor  will  he 
compass  him  as  with  a  shield. 

The  certainty  of  all  this  blessedness  is  declared  :  "  My 
word  that  goeth  out  of  my  mouth,  it  shall  not  return  unto 
me  void ;  but  it  shall  accomplish  that  which  I  please, 
and  it  shall  prosper  in  the  thing  whereunto  I  sent  it." 

The  glory  of  God  is  also  secured  :  "  Instead  of  the 
thorn  shall  come  up  the  fir-tree ;  and  instead  of  the  briar 
shall  come  up  the  myrtle-tree  ;  and  it  shall  be  to  the 
Lord  for  a  name,  for  an  everlasting  sign  that  shall  not  be 
cut  off." 

This  glorious  change  from  sin  to  holiness,  which  is 
figuratively  expressed  by  the  thorn  and  briar,  the  fir- 


LIVING    WATER.  355 

tree  and  the  myrtle,  shall  be  for  a  sign,  an  everlasting 
sign  of  the  divine  origin  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  and  for 
a  perpetual  memorial  of  the  converting  grace  of  God. 

Oh  my  soul !  after  what  object  art  thou  thirsting  ? 
After  what  are  thy  desires  tending  1  Look  around  thee, 
and  see  if  any  created  good  can  satisfy  those  desires  1 
Be  assured  that  nothing  can  make  thee  truly  happy,  but 
an  interest  in  the  blood  of  Jesus  ;  nothing  but  a  union 
to  him  by  faith  ;  nothing  but  a  sweet  experience  of  his 
pardoning  mercy  and  sanctifying  grace  ;  nothing  but  an 
entire  and  unreserved  dedication  of  thyself  to  him  who 
gave  himself  for  thee.  Oh  !  then  cast  thyself  now  at 
the  feet  of  a  loving  Saviour.  He  will  not  spurn  thee 
from  him,  though  thou  deservest  to  be  cast  into  the 
nethermost  hell  ! 

Oh  !  may  I  daily  thirst  for  these  blessings.  I  would 
now  draw  nigh  to  the  fountain  of  living  water.  May  I 
freely  take  of  thee,  Oh  thou  Spirit  of  consolation.  By 
thy  sacred  influence  may  I  feel  my  soul  refreshed  and 
strengthened,  whilst  journeying  to  the  land  of  which 
sovereign  grace  hath  said,  I  will  give  it  you. 

Blessed  Jesus,  I  am  not  worthy  to  approach  thee. 
But  here  is  my  encouragement ;  that  those  only  are 
invited,  who  have  "no  money ;"  no  merit  of  their  own  : 
and  I  have  none.  Thy  righteousness  is  my  only  boast 
and  plea.  Thou  earnest  not  to  call  the  righteous,  but 
sinners  to  repentance.  How  gracious,  then,  is  this  Gos- 
pel call  to  a  world  of  perishing  sinners  !  "  Ho  every 
one  that  thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the  waters."  Oh  !  that  all 
may  hear  and  embrace  the  offered  mercy. 

Hasten  the  glorious  period,  when  all  shall  come  with 
singing  unto  thee  ;  when  the  church  shall  lengthen  her 
cords,  and  strengthen  her  stakes  ;  yea,  when  the  whole 
earth  shall  be  filled  with  thy  glory.  Come,  Lord  Jesus : 
come  quickly.     Amen. 


356  THE    BURNING    BUSH, 

Thou  fountain  of  eternal  life, 
"Whose  streams  for  ever  flow, 

Spring  up  within  my  waiting  heart, 
And  all  thy  bliss  bestow. 

Refresh  my  soul  with  living  streams, 
Till  holy  fruits  abound ; 

A  chosen  tree  of  righteousness, 
On  Zion's  sacred  ground. 

Come,  Holy  Ghost,  thy  grace  impart ; 

Put  forth  thy  quich'ning  power  j 
Vain  is  the  hope  of  bliss  below, 

The  pageant  of  an  hour. 

Like  tender  flow'rs,  we  ope  the  bud, 
And  greet  the  morning  ray  j 

But  ere  'tis  noon  we  droop  and  fade, 
The  creatures  of  a  day. 

Yet  on  this  little  day  of  life 
What  mighty  things  depend — 

Eternal  torments,  or  the  joy 

That  knows  nor  bound  nor  end. 

Then  haste,  blest  Spirit,  to  my  breast, 
R.enew  my  guilty  soul ; 

Speak  peace,  thou  blessed  Comforter, 
And  make  the  wounded — whole. 


LIX. ON    THE    BURNING    BUSH. 

Much  valuable  instruction  and  consolation  may  be 
derived  from  the  consideration  of  the  vision  with  which 
Moses  was  favored  in  the  desert  of  Midian. 

"  The  angel  of  the  Lord  appeared  unto  him  in  a  flame 
of  fire  out  of  the  midst  of  a  bush.  And  he  looked,  and 
behold  the  bush  burned  with  fire,  and  the  bush  was  not 
consumed."  (Exod.  iii,  2.) 


THE    BURNING    BUSH.  357 

Like  Moses,  I  would  now  turn  aside,  and  contemplate 
"  this  great  sight,"  at  once  so  instructive  and  consoling. 

This  bush,  which  in  the  original  signifies  a  thorny 
bush,  is  a  fit  emblem  of  the  church  of  God.  Considered 
ir  itself,  it  is  weak  and  worthless  ;  a  bramble-bush,  the 
lowest  among  the  shrubs.  "You  see  your  calling,  breth- 
ren," writes  the  apostle  to  the  church  at  Corinth,  "  how, 
that  not  many  wise  men  after  the  flesh,  not  many  mighty, 
not  many  noble  are  called  :  but  God  hath  chosen  the 
foolish  things  of  the  world  to  confound  the  wise  ;  and 
God  hath  chosen  the  weak  things  of  the  world,  to  con- 
found the  things  which  are  mighty  ;  and  base  things  of 
the  world,  and  things  which  are  despised,  hath  God 
chosen,  yea,  and  things  which  are  not,  to  bring  to 
nought  things  that  are  ;  that  no  flesh  should  glory  in 
his  presence." 

"  The  bush  burned  with  fire  ;"  which  justly  represents 
the  state  of  the  church  in  this  evil  world. 

The  malice  of  Satan — the  persecutions  of  the  ungod- 
ly— the  corruptions  of  the  heart — the  trials  and  afflictions 
which  come  immediately  from  God  for  the  purification  of 
his  people,  may  well  be  compared  to  fire. 

The  bush,  though  on  fire,  "was  not  consumed." 

This  is  a  wonderful  sight  indeed.  Here  the  grace  and 
power  of  Jesus  are  eminently  displayed.  The  church  has 
always  been  in  a  furnace,  and  yet  never  consumed  ;  yea, 
rather  purified  and  brightened  in  proportion  to  the  inten- 
sity of  the  flame.  The  cause  of  the  church's  preservation 
is  revealed  to  us.  The  Lord  was  in  the  bush.  "  God  is 
in  the  midst  of  her,  therefore  shall  she  not  be  moved." 
"The  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail  against  her."  "Fear 
not,  for  I  am  with  thee  ;  be  not  dismayed,  for  I  am  thy 
God."  "  No  weapon  formed  against  thee  shall  pros- 
per." "  Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled,  neither  let  it 
be  afraid." 


353  THE    BURNING    BUSH. 

This  remarkable  vision  should  teach  us  humility.  The 
church  is  not  compared  to  a  stately  cedar,  but  to  a  bram- 
ble-bush. We  must  have  low  thoughts  of  ourselves.  Man 
is  naturally  proud.  This  inbred  evil,  even  after  conver 
sion,  rebels  against  the  motions  of  the  Spirit.  Hence 
arises  spiritual  pride. 

When  the  Lord  graciously  imparts  his  gifts  for  the 
edification  of  the  church,  how  prone  we  are  to  take  the 
praise  of  these  endowments  to  ourselves.  This  made 
the  lowly-minded  apostle  expostulate  with  the  Corin- 
thian converts  :  "  Who  maketh  thee  to  differ  from  an- 
other, and  what  hast  thou  that  thou  didst  not  receive  ? 
Now  if  thou  didst  receive  it,  why  dost  thou  glory,  as  if 
thou  hadst  not  received  it?"  "Knowledge  puffeth  up, 
but  charity  edifieth." 

Moses  equally  cautioned  the  ancient  people  of  God 
against  this  subtle  poison.  "  The  Lord  did  not  set  his 
love  upon  you,  nor  choose  you,  because  you  were  more 
in  number  than  any  people,  for  ye  were  the  fewest  of  all 
people;  but  because  the  Lord  loved  you,  and  because 
he  would  keep  the  oath  which  he  had  sworn  unto  your 
fathers."  "Not  for  thy  righteousness,  or  for  the  upright- 
ness of  thine  heart,  dost  thou  go  to  possess  their  land  ; 
but  for  the  wickedness  of  these  nations,  the  Lord  thy 
God  doth  drive  them  from  before  thee  ;  that  he  may 
perform  the  word  which  the  Lord  sware  unto  thy  fathers, 
Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob.  Understand,  therefore,  that 
the  Lord  thy  God  giveth  thee  not  this  good  land  to  pos- 
sess it  for  thy  righteousness,  for  thou  art  a  stiff-necked 
people." 

How  slow  are  we  to  learn  this  humbling,  yet  precious 
truth  ,  that  salvation  is  all  of  grace,  rich  grace  abound- 
ing to  the  chief  of  sinners  ! 

The  beauty  and  glory  of  the  church  are  derived  from 
Christ.     He  is  the  glory,  as  well  as  the  glorifier  of  his 


THE    BURNING    BUSH.  359 

people  Israel.  Filled  with  his  Spirit,  and  bearing  his 
image,  the  church  "looketh  forth  as  the  morning,  fair 
as  the  moon,  clear  as  the  sun,  and  terrible  as  an  army 
with  banners." 

Jesus  beautifies  the  meek  with  salvation.  (<  I  will 
greatly  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  my  soul  shall  be  joyful  in 
my  God  ;  for  he  hath  clothed  me  with  the  garment  of 
salvation,  he  hath  covered  me  with  the  robe  of  right- 
eousness, as  a  bridegroom  decketh  himself  with  orna- 
ments, and  as  a  bride  adorneth  herself  with  her  jewels." 

"  By  the  grace  of  God,  I  am  what  I  am."  "  In  the 
Lord  shall  the  seed  of  Israel  be  justified,  and  shall  glory." 

From  this  vision,  we  are  taught  to  expect  trials  whilst 
journeying  through  this  desert  world.  Sometimes  the 
storm  rages  violently,  and  the  flame  burns  with  awful 
intenseness  ;  yet  nothing  of  the  church  shall  be  con- 
sumed, but  its  dross.  Thus  the  malice  of  Satan  and 
the  world  is  overruled  for  good  Persecution  tends  only 
to  refine  the  saints  of  God.  It  quickens  their  graces, 
and  puts  new  life  into  their  prayers.  They  run  to  the 
strong-hold,  and  are  safe  under  the  fostering  care  of  an 
Almighty  Saviour.  At  such  trying  seasons,  the  chaff 
and  the  withered  branches  are  consumed.  Mere  nom- 
inal professors  cannot  endure  those  persecutions,  which 
are  designed  in  God's  providence  to  separate  the  precious 
from  the  vile.  "  It  must  needs  be  that  offences  come ;" 
"that  they  which  are  approved,  may  be  made  manifest." 

The  consideration  of  "  this  great  sight"  should  teach 
us  confidence  in  the  faithfulness  and  power  of  Jesus.  He 
is  in  the  bush.  He  never  leaves  nor  forsakes  his  people. 
"  When  thou  walkest  through  the  fire,  thou  shalt  not  be 
burned,  neither  shall  the  flame  kindle  upon  thee" — is  the 
gr-acious  sustaining  promise. 

This  vision  of  a  bush  burning,  yet  unconsumed,  affords 
a  striking  view  of  the  perpetuity  of  the  church  of  Christ. 


360  THE    BURNING    BUSH. 

Nothing  shall  be  suffered  to  destroy  this  treasure  of  Je- 
hovah. It  may  be  reduced,  and  often  has  been  reduced 
to  the  lowest  ebb :  but  in  the  most  degenerate  times  God 
never  left  himself  without  a  church,  however  few  in  num- 
ber, to  show  forth  his  praise.  From  Abel  down  to  the 
present  hour,  there  has  ever  been  "  a  remnant  according 
to  the  election  of  grace."  When  the  whole  earth  was 
filled  with  violence,  and  all  flesh  had  corrupted  its  way 
before  God,  "  Noah  found  grace  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord. 
He  was  a  just  man  and  perfect  in  his  generation,  and 
Noah  walked  with  God." 

The  desolating  flood  at  length  descended,  and  every 
thing  wherein  was  the  breath  of  life  perished,  except  the 
little  church  of  God,  which  was  preserved  in  the  ark  on 
the  bosom  of  the  tempestuous  waters  ! 

After  the  deluge,  iniquity  began  to  spread  with  awful 
rapidity.  Idolatry  reared  its  rebellious  tower  in  the  plain 
of  Shinar  ;  and  the  knowledge  of  the  true  God  became 
gradually  shrouded  in  ignorance  and  superstition,  till  the 
Almighty  called  Abraham  by  his  grace,  and  caused  gen- 
uine piety  to  flourish  once  more  in  himself  and  family. 

When  planted  in  the  land  of  Canaan,  the  Israelites 
soon  forsook  the  God  of  their  fathers.  In  the  midst  of 
abounding  idolatry,  the  Lord  raised  up  a  prophet  in 
whom  seemed  to  centre  all  the  religion  of  the  land.  In 
the  grief  of  his  heart  he  said,  "  It  is  enough.  Now,  Oh 
Lord,  take  away  my  life  ;  for  I  am  not  better  than  my 
fathers."  "  I,  even  I,  only  am  left  ;  and  they  seek  my 
life  to  take  it  away."  But  what  was  the  answer  of  the 
Lord  to  Elijah?  "  I  have  left  me  seven  thousand  in  Israel, 
all  the  knees  which  have  not  bowed  unto  Baal." 

When  our  blessed  Lord  came  in  the  flesh,  darkness 
covered  the  earth  and  gross  darkness  the  people ;  yet 
even  then  there  were  a  chosen  few,  who  in  faith  "waited 
for  redemption  in  Israel." 


THE    BURNING    BUSH.  361 

During-  the  dark  period  of  1260  years,  foretold  in  the 
Revelation,  wherein  the  dragon,  the  beast,  and  the  false 
prophet  would  wage  continual  war  with  the  church  of 
Christ ;  :he  Lord  appointed  two  witnesses  (a  constant 
succession  of  faithful  men)  who  should  testify  to  the 
power  and  grace  of  Jesus,  even  though  they  prophesy  in 
sackcloth.  In  this  period  we  now  live,  and  can  fully 
attest  to  the  truth  of  this  remarkable  prophecy.  All  this 
is  in  virtue  of  the  everlasting  covenant.  How  extensive 
the  promise  of  the  Father  to  his  eternal  Son  ! 

"He  shall  have  dominion  from  sea  to  sea,  and  from 
the  river  unto  the  ends  of  the  earth."  "His  name  shall 
endure  for  ever ;  his  name  shall  be  continued  as  long  as 
the  sun,  and  men  shall  be  blessed  in  him  ;  all  nations 
shall  call  him  blessed." 

From  this  manifestation  of  the  Almighty  to  Moses, 
we  are  led  to  adore  the  sovereignty  of  God. 

He  ordinarily  chooses,  not  the  greau  ones  of  the  earth, 
but  the  poor  and  the  despised.  Some,  ind:ed,  but  not 
many,  noble  are  called.  Worldly  riches  and  elevated 
stations  have  a  tendency  to  beget  self-sufficiency  and 
vain-confidence.  "  Poor  in  spirit,  rich  in  fai'h,  and  heirs 
of  the  kingdom,"  is  the  genuine  character  of  the  church 
of  Christ. 

Divine  grace,  however,  can  as  easily  bring  the  proud- 
est monarch,  as  the  meanest  beggar,  in  the  lowly  atti- 
tude of  contrition  to  the  foot  of  the  cross. 

Happy  will  be  that  period,  when  the  kings  of  the 
earth  and  its  nobles  shall  esteem  it  their  highest  glory  to 
become  the  subjects  of  the  Prince  of  Peace;  and  their 
chief  joy  to  promote  the  extension  of  his  kingdom  of 
righteousness  throughout  the  world. 

We  are  hereby  led  to  admire  also  the  wisdom  and 
power  of  God.  He  can  promote  the  enlargement  of  his 
churdi  by  those  very  mearii  which  its  enemies  employ 

31 


362  THE    BURNING    BUSH. 

to  destroy  it.  The  children  of  Israel  grew  and  multi- 
plied, in  spite  of  Pharaoh's  efforts  to  prevent  it. 

The  Gospel  spread  with  wonderful  rapidity,  notwith- 
standing all  the  threatenings  of  the  Jews  and  Romans 
to  check  its  progress. 

Those  persecutions  which  scattered  the  disciples 
abroad,  tended  only  to  widen  their  field  of  labor;  for 
they  went  everywhere,  preaching  the  word.  The  sacred 
fire,  thus  dispersed  by  the  rude  hand  of  violence,  multi- 
plied itself  in  proportion  to  its  dispersion.  Hence  it 
became  proverbial,  that  the  blood  of  the  martyrs  is  the 
seed  of  the  church.  "So  mightily  grew  the  word  of 
God  and  prevailed."  Even  its  enemies  wondered  where- 
unto  all  this  would  grow. 

Whilst  the  kings  of  the  earth  set  themselves,  and  the 
rulers  took  counsel  together,  against  the  Lord  and 
against  his  Christ;  the  Almighty  Sovereign  of  the  uni- 
verse proclaimed :  "  I  have  set  my  king  upon  my  holy 
hillofZion." 

Jesus  by  his  resurrection  was  declared  to  be  the  Son 
of  God  with  power;  and  "of  the  increase  of  his  kingdom 
and  government,  there  shall  be  no  end."  "The  zeal  of 
the  Lord  of  hosts  will  perform  this." 

Two  blessed  periods  are,  therefore,  fast  approaching, 
the  anticipation  of  which  filled  the  ancient  prophets  and 
apostles  with  holy  transport. 

The  one,  when  the  church  shall  arise  and  shine  in  her 
millennial  glory ;  when  she  shall  put  on  her  beautiful 
garments,  and  become  the  joy  and  praise  of  the  whole 
earth. 

The  other,  when,  in  the  perfection  of  beauty,  she  shall 
be  presented  as  a  chaste  virgin  to  Christ  the  heavenly 
bridegroom,  and,  being  clothed  with  his  righteousness, 
shall  shine  as  the  sun  in  the  kingdom  of  glory  for  ever 
and  ever. 


THE    BURNING    BUSH.  363 

Oh,  my  soul,  rejoice  in  this  great  salvation.  Lord, 
grant  unto  thy  unworthy  servant  a  portion  of  this  feli- 
city. Make  me  even  now  a  living  member  of  thy  mys- 
tical body,  poor  in  spirit,  and  pure  in  heart,  patiently  en- 
during every  trial,  daily  exercising  faiih  in  thy  truth  and 
mercy ;  adoring  thy  sovereignty ;  admiring  thy  power ; 
and  rejoicing  in  the  perpetuity  of  the  grace  which  lives 
in  all  thy  faithful  people,  and  preserves  them  unto  thy 
eternal  kingdom  and  glory. 

Let  my  whole  heart  praise  thee,  thou  God  of  my  sal- 
vation. Let  my  whole  life  be  consecrated  unto  thee. 
The  work,  Oh  Lord,  is  thine.  Thou  alone  canst  new- 
create  the  soul.  Perform  this  act  of  grace,  this  miracle 
of  mercy,  for  thy  own  glory  and  to  thy  everlasting  praise. 
Amen  and  amen. 


Oh !  come,  ye  servants  of  the  Lord, 
"Whose  will  is  your  delight ; 

His  boundless  love  and  grace  record, 
While  heart  and  tongue  unite. 

Strike  up  your  harps,  and  sweetly  sing 

Of  Jesus'  lovely  name  ; 
To  him  your  grateful  tribute  bring, 

His  endless  praise  proclaim. 

Declare  what  wonders  he  hath  done, 
Make  all  his  glories  known  ; 

Adore  the  Father's  equal  Son; 
The  priest  upon  the  throne. 

Sing  of  his  rich  and  sov'reign  grace — 

Transcendent  and  divine; 
Sing  how  he  died  to  save  our  race 

From  misery  and  sin. 

He  died  for  us — he  made  our  peace; 

He  pleads  our  cause  on  high : 
Oh !  may  our  praises  never  cease, 

Hosannahs  never  die ! 


364  ADOPTION. 


May  each  revolving  year  inflame 

Our  zeal,  delight,  and  love ; 
Till  round  the  throne  we  chant  his  name 

In  purer  strains  above. 

Oh!  come,  ye  servants  of  the  Lord, 
His  endless  praise  proclaim : 

In  gladsome  notes  his  love  record, 
For  "worthy  is  the  Lamb." 


LX. — ON  ADOPTION. 


How  rich,  how  varied  are  the  blessings  of  redemption! 
Like  the  gracious  Giver,  they  are  infinite  and  eternal, 
reaching  from  everlasting  to  everlasting. 

Fully  to  know  the  gifts  of  grace,  we  must  know  the 
fulness  of  him  from  whom  they  flow.  Surely  gratitude 
ought  to  swell  our  hearts,  when  we  contemplate  the 
author  of  our  mercies,  and  the  abject  worms  on  whom 
those  mercies  are  bestowed. 

Happy  is  that  heart  which  can  appreciate  the  love  of 
Jesus,  and  to  which  the  Saviour  is  increasingly  precious. 
Thus  to  feel,  is  heaven  begun :  and  forms  one  cf  the 
brightest  evidences  of  adoption  into  the  family  of  God. 

According  to  the  natural  order  of  things,  we  are  first 
made  the  children  of  God;  and  then  we  receive  the  spirit 
of  children.  This  is  in  perfect  accordance  with  Scrip- 
ture :  "  ye  are  all  the  children  of  God  by  faith  in  Christ 
Jesus  ;"  and  "  because  ye  are  sons,  God  hath  sent  forth 
the  Spirit  of  his  Son  into  your  hearts,  crying  Abba, 
Father."  For  "  God  sent  forth  his  Son,  made  of  a  wo- 
man, made  under  the  law,  to  redeem  them  that  were 
under  the  law,  that  we  might  receive  the  adoption  of 
sons."     Hence  "  he  that  belie veth  on  the  Son  of  God, 


ADOPTION.  365 

hath  the  witness  in  himself;"  the  indwelling"  Spirit  testi- 
fying to  his  spirit,  or  conscience,  that  he  is  a  child  of  God; 
for  thus  saith  St.  John:  "hereby  we  know  that  he 
abideth  in  us,  by  the  Spirit  which  he  hath  given  us." 

Therefore,  filial  affections  towards  God  as  our  cove- 
nant Father,  produced  in  the  soul  by  the  Holy  Ghost, 
constitute  the  Spirit  of  adoption,  and  prove  us  to  be  his 
redeemed  children. 

This  delightful  feeling  of  sonship,  with  all  its  attend- 
ant blessedness,  creates  a  peace  and  joy,  such  as  a  loving* 
child  experiences  in  the  society  and  under  the  smiles  of 
an  affectionate  parent. 

But  we  must  never  forget  that  this  state  cf  heart  is 
not  the  mere  effect  of  contemplating  the  change  which 
may  have  passed  upon  us.  When  we  look  into  our- 
selves, we  find  continual  need  for  the  deepest  humilia- 
tion, even  when  we  can  praise  God  for  his  distinguishing 
mercy  towards  us. 

Our  peace  and  joy  are  the  fruits  of  faith  in  the  blood 
of  Christ,  wrought  in  us  through  the  mighty  power  of 
God.  We  can  have  peace  and  joy  only  through  believ- 
ing. But  as  we  become  the  children  of  God  by  faith,  so 
true  peace  in  the  conscience,  and  joy  in  the  heart,  can 
only  be  maintained  and  increased  through  an  abiding 
reliance  on  the  blood  and  righteousness  of  Jesus. 

From  this  foundation  arises  a  sacred  edifice  of  hea- 
venly graces.  "  Know  ye  not,"  saith  the  apostle,  "  that 
your  body  is  the  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost  which  is  in 
you,  which  you  have  of  God ;  and  ye  are  not  your  own, 
for  ye  are  bought  with  a  price :  therefore  glorify  God  in 
your  body  and  in  your  spirit,  which  are  God's." 

All  the  delightful  experiences  of  true  believers  are 
inseparably  connected  with  the  witness  of  the  Spirit. 
For  though,  for  perspicuity's  sake,  we  may  endeavor 
to  speok  of  them  as  so  many  steps  ascending  to  the 

31* 


266  ADOPTION. 

highest  privileges  of  the  Gospel,  yet  they  are  so  blended 
together,  that  to  separate  them  would  be  like  separating" 
the  superstructure  of  a  building  from  its  foundation,  or 
disjointing  the  members  of  a  beautifully  formed  body. 

Every  grace  of  the  Spirit  has  its  counterfeit  in  the 
hypocrite. 

Oh  !  what  need  we  have  to  pray  for  wisdom  "to  try 
things  which  differ."  All  joy  is  not  the  fruit  of  the 
Spirit.  "  The  joy  of  the  hypocrite  is  but  for  a  moment." 
All  peace  is  not  the  peace  of  God.  "  When  they  shall 
say,  Peace,  then  sudden  destruction  cometh  upon  Ihem." 

The  enemy  of  souls  can  sow  his  tares,  which  at  a 
distance  may  appear  like  true  wheat ;  whilst,  on  closer 
inspection,  they  are  found  to  be  destitute  of  the  precious 
grain.  The  renewed  mind,  on  the  contrary,  unfolds  its 
native  excellencies  the  more  minutely  it  is  viewed  ;  just 
as  the  insect  and  the  flower  spread  before  us  their  ex- 
quisite forms  and  beauties  in  proportion  to  the  power  of 
the  lens. 

Thus  the  more  we  become  acquainted  with  a  real  child 
of  God,  the  more  of  the  divine  image  we  shall  discover. 
Humility,  love,  and  purity  will  equally  spread  before  us 
their  beauties,  and  prove  that  the  workmanship  is  of  God. 

What  remains  of  fallen  nature  will  indeed  be  uncouth 
find  forbidding ;  but  what  is  of  God  will  be  attractive 
and  delightful. 

Oh  !  that  my  heart  may  be  moulded  into  this  lovely 
image ! 

There  is  in  the  blessed  Jesus  every  thing  to  kindle  our 
love  to  the  highest  flame.  Lord,  inflame  my  whole 
heart  with  constant,  fervent  love  to  thee. 

Some  professors  of  religion  consider  every  affection 
short  of  ecstasy  as  nothing  worth.  Hence  many,  it  is 
to  be  feared,  substitute  mere  animal  excitement  for  joy 
in  the  Holy  Ghost ;  and  thus  deceive  themselves 


ADOPTION.  3G7 

A  person  may  bring  forth  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit,  have 
much  of  the  meekne-s  and  gentleness  of  Christ,  and  yet 
not  he  able,  from  some  njent;tl  cause,  to  exercise  that 
filial  confidence  towards  God  in  which  the  Spirit  of 
adoption  in  a  great  measure  consists  ;  although  none 
can  p  Spirit,  without  bringing  forth  the  fruits 

of  righteousn< 

Others,  from  some  peculiar  temperament  of  body,  may 
be  prevented  from  feeling  high  transports  of  joy,  whilst, 
at  the  same  time,  they  can  taste  the  sweet-  of  inward 
serenity  and  cornposedness  of  mind. 

Others  again,  from  a  deep  view  of  their  own  corrup- 
tion, cannot  or  dare  not  recognise  in  themselves  a  holy 
conformity  to  God,  though  they  hate  sin  and  truly  love 
the  Saviour. 

Now,  -hall  we  say  that  such  characters  have  not  the 
Spirit's  witness,  because  they  cannot  feel  this  ecstasy  of 
delight  ]  Must  the  work  of  the  Spirit  be  overlooked,  in 
the  absence  of  rapturous  feeling?  Shall  we  make  those 
sad  whom  the  Lord  hath  not  made  sad  ?  Oh  how  need- 
ful it  is,  for  the  enjoyment  of  true  comfort,  to  place  our 
experience  on  the  right  foundation  ! 

Now,  if  joy,  which  is  the  Christian's  delightful  privi- 
lege, be  the  effect  of  the  Spirit's  witness,  rather  than  the 
Kilness  itself,  then  the  humble  follower  of  Jesu=,  who  has 
the  testimony  of  his  conscience  that  he  has  chosen  God 
for  his  portion,  and  cleaves  wholly  to  his  Saviour  for 
righteousness  and  strength,  ought  not  to  despond,  be- 
cause he  cannot  rise  to  those  heights  of  joy,  which  some 
favored  believers  are  permitted  to  attain.  He  may,  how- 
ever, and  he  ought,  to  take  courage,  from  this  inward 
witness  of  the  Spirit  to  his  conscience,  to  aspire  after  so 
happy  a  state  of  mind,  which  conduces  so  much  to  the 
glory  of  God,  and  to  the  spiritual  growth  of  his  own 
soul ;  for  "  the  joy  of  the  Lord  is  our  strength." 


368  ADOPTION. 

May  we  not  then  conclude,  that,  when  joy  overflows 
the  heart  through  a  lively  sense  of  redeeming  grace,  it 
forms  a  sunshine  in  the  soul ;  and  that  when  this  joy  is 
accompanied  with  love,  and  confidence,  and  reverence, 
and  trust  in  God,  we  have  the  Spirit  of  adoption  in  its 
most  genuine  exercise  1  We  also  perceive,  that  joyful 
emotions,  arising  from  some  powerful  impression  or 
animal  excitement,  may  be  transient,  as  is  evident  from 
the  stony  ground  hearer,  who  anon  received  the  word 
with  joy,  but  in  time  of  temptation  fell  away. 

It  is  to  guard  against  such  a  delusion  as  this,  that  we 
should  endeavor  to  form  a  solid  and  scriptural  basis  on 
which  to  repose  our  hopes  and  consolations.  Joy  may 
be  unhallowed,  but  submissive  obedience  to  the  will  of 
God  cannot. 

How  important,  and  yet  how  determinate,  is  the  de- 
claration of  St.  Paul :  "  as  many  as  are  led  by  the  Spirit 
of  God,  they  are  the  sons  of  God." 

Am  I  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God  1 — Oh !  how  much 
of  happiness  is  contained  in  the  right  answer  to  this 
question. 

The  Spirit  leads  the  sinner  to  the  foot  of  the  cross. 
Have  I  ever  reached  that  place  of  mercy  ? 

The  Spirit  leads  the  sinner  from  the  love  of  sin  to  the 
love  of  holiness.  Do  I  abhor  whatever  is  contrary  to  the 
mind  of  my  Redeemer  ;  and  seek  my  happiness  in  the 
performance  of  his  will  1 

The  Spirit  leads  the  soul  from  the  vanities  of  the  world, 
to  the  enjoyment  of  substantial  Gospel  blessings.  Have 
I  been  graciously  withdrawn  in  heart  and  affection  from 
an  evil  world,  and  led  into  the  purifying  delights  of  fel- 
lowship with  the  Father,  and  with  his  Son  Jesus  Christ? 

How  blessed  is  the  Spirit  of  adoption  ;  that  childlike 
Spirit  which  enables  us  to  come  to  our  heavenly  Father, 
neither  doubting  his  power,  nor  distrusting  his  grace. 


ADOPTION.  369 

When  we  consider  our  weakness  and  his  strength,  our 
wants  and  his  fulness,  we  may  well  feel  happy  whilst 
possessing  in  all  its  vigor  this  Spirit  of  adoption. 

Sickness  may  invade  our  frame  ;  poverty  may  dimin- 
ish our  substance ;  friends  may  prove  unfaithful  ;  yea, 
even  Satan  may  harass  our  minds  ;  and  sin,  dwelling 
within  u>,  may  lust  and  rebel  ;  yet  with  God,  the  Great 
God,  as  our  reconciled  Father  in  Christ  Jesus,  we  shall 
rise  superior  to  every  grief  and  loss  ;  and  feel  and  main- 
tain a  peace  which  the  world  can  neither  give  nor  take 
away. 

Whilst  in  this  happy  frame  of  mind,  the  Spirit  itself 
beareth  witness  with  our  spirit  tiiat  we  are  the  children 
of  God.  But  if  we  are  children,  then  we  are  heirs  ;  and 
« — Oh  !  amazing  thought !  surpassing  human  intellect 
to  conceive — heirs  of  God,  and  joint-heirs  with  Christ ! — 
heirs  of  that  Being,  whom  Abraham  styles  "  the  pos- 
sessor of  heaven  and  earth" — and  joint-heirs  with  that 
Saviour,  who  declared,  "  all  power  is  given  unto  me  in 
heaven  and  in  earth."  Surely,  then,  with  delightful 
propriety  might  the  apostle  say,  "all  things  are  yours, 
for  ye  are  Christ's,  and  Christ  is  God's." 

Are  the  children  of  God,  whilst  thus  exalted  in  priv- 
ileges, exempt  from  affliction  ?  Ah  no  ! — whilst  here 
below,  they  must  tread  the  path  of  suffering — the  path 
by  which  the  blessed  Jesus  went  to  glory  ;  for  it  is  added, 
"  if  so  be  that  we  suffer  with  him,  that  we  may  be  also 
glorified  together." 

Oh  thou  adorable  Saviour,  may  I  never  shrink  from 
bearing  thy  cioss,  when  called  to  endure  it  ;  if  I  suffer 
with  thee,  I  shall  also  reign  with  thee.  But  who  is  suf- 
ficient for  these  things  ?  Of  myself,  1  am  perfect  weak- 
ness ;  but  in  thee  there  is  fulness  of  strength,  and  through 
faith  in  thee  I  shall  assuredly  overcome. 

Oh !  that  I  may  daily  possess  this  sacred  evidence  of 


370  FAITH. 

my  adoption  into  thy  family;  an  evidence  which  will 
stand  the  test  of  trial  and  temptation  ;  which  will  keep 
me  humble  in  prosperity,  patient  in  affliction,  peaceful  in 
death,  and  joyful  through  eternity.  Impart  this  blessing 
for  thy  own  mercies'  sake,  my  only  Helper  and  Deliverer. 

Ye  happy  souls,  the  Saviour  praise, 

Whose  grace  hath  made  you  sons  of  God  j 

To  him  devote  your  fleeting  days, 
Who  bought  you  with  his  precious  blood. 

With  childlike  confidence  repose 

Each  care  on  his  paternal  breast, 
Whose  love  nor  end  nor  measure  knows  j 

The  centre  of  eternal  rest. 

How  sweet  to  dwell  beneath  his  shade, 

Removed  far  from  toil  and  care ; 
Where  none  can  make  the  soul  dismay'd 

That  seeks  and  finds  its  refuge  there. 

Unite  my  heart,  dear  Lord,  to  Thee, 

To  Thee  be  ev'ry  moment  given  ; 
On  earth  may  I  thy  goodness  see, 

Thy  glory  in  the  highest  heaven. 


LXI. — ON    FAITH. 


The  heart  of  man  is  like  a  weight,  whose  natural  bias 
is  downward.  Nothing  but  a  power  independent  of  itself 
can  cause  it  to  ascend  heavenward.  The  attraction  of 
gravitation  is  not  more  powerful  in  its  effects  on  the  vari- 
ous parts  of  the  universe,  than  is  the  debasing  force  of 
natural  corruption  in  the  heart  of  fallen  man. 

There  is,  however,  a  counteracting  principle — an  at- 
tracting influence  which  can  draw  the  soul  from  earth  to 
heaven,  and  unite  it  to  the  blessed  God.     This  principle  is 


FAITH.  371 

Faith.  Without  faith,  it  is  impossible  to  please  God ; 
because,  till  we  truly  believe  in  Jesus,  we  are  in  a  state 
of  guilt  and  condemnation. 

True  faith  is  not  a  mere  passive  impression,  or  an  in- 
operative notion.  It  is  a  holy  principle  wrought  in  the 
soul  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  producing  gracious  habits,  holy 
affections,  filial  reverence,  and  obedience. 

Faith  is  seated  in  the  heart,  influencing  and  purifying 
the  whole  inner  man. 

Faith  unites  the  soul  to  Christ,  as  the  branch  to  the 
vine.  It  draws  virtue  from  him,  whereby  the  believer  is 
rendered  fruitful  in  every  good  work.  The  sweet  fruits 
of  the  Spirit  appear  and  abound  in  rich  luxuriancy  on 
these  favored  branches,  to  the  glory  of  God. 

Faith  places  the  soul  upon  Christ,  as  the  only  founda- 
tion, on  which  it  is  built  up  a  holy  temple  unto  the  Lord, 
unhurt  by  all  the  winds  and  storms  which  beat  upon  it. 

Faith  feeds  upon  Christ  continually,  as  the  true  bread 
which  came  down  from  heaven,  of  which,  whosoever  eat- 
eth  shall  live  for  ever. 

Faith  works  by  love  to  God,  his  people,  and  his  word. 
It  evidences  its  vitality  by  its  fruits. 

Faith  purines  the  heart  from  sin,  waging  war  against 
all  internal  and  external  evil. 

Faith  overcomes  the  world,  both  when  it  smiles  and 
when  it  frowns. 

Faith  views  the  glorious  land  of  promise  as  its  own  ; 
and  triumphs  over  all  intervening  difficulties  and  dangers 
which  bestrew  its  path  to  Zion. 

Faith  makes  the  believer  confident,  yet  watchful ;  bold, 
yet  cautious  ;  aspiring,  yet  humble. 

He  is  confident,  since  the  promises  of  God  are  kindly 
given  him  to  rest  upon ; — watchful,  since  he  feels  the 
deceitfulness  of  his  rebellious  heart ; — bold,  since  the 
honor  of  the  Saviour  demands  his  confession  ; — cautious, 


brZ  FAITH. 

lest  he  should  be  only  gratifying  a  vain-glorious  spirit; 
— aspiring  after  that  honor  which  conieth  from  God 
only  ;  yet  humble,  since  he  remembers  his  own  vile- 
ness  and  utter  unworthiness  of  the  least  of  the  divine 
mercies. 

If  it  be  asked,  how  can  faith  effect  such  wonders?  the 
reply  is,  because  faith  is  the  gift  of  God,  and  the  power 
of  God. 

The  believer,  abiding  in  Christ,  and  deriving  continual 
supplies  of  grace  and  strength  out  of  his  fulness,  be- 
comes mighty  through  this  power  which  worketh  in  him 
mightily. 

He  is  strengthened  with  might  by  his  Spirit  in  the 
inner  man,  to  fight  the  good  right  of  faith,  and  to  lay 
hold  on  eternal  life.  Weak  and  helpless  in  himself,  he 
is  strong  in  the  grace  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus  his  Lord  : 
and  finally  obtains  the  palm  of  victory  through  the  blood 
of  the  Lamb.  Thus,  faith  in  Christ  at  once  gives  peace 
to  the  conscience,  and  leads  it  to  all  true  holiness  ;  for 
when  peace  is  imparted  to  the  conscience,  purity  is  pro- 
duced in  the  heart. 

Such  is  the  faith  of  God's  elect ;  a  faith  which  is  ac- 
cording to  godliness.  That  system  of  religion  must  be 
awfully  defective,  which  would  dare  to  lower  the  stand- 
ard of  holiness  under  the  false,  I  would  say  impious, 
notion  of  thereby  exalting  the  grace  of  God.  Because 
Christ  is  a  Saviour,  shall  we  make  him  the  minister  of 
sin  ?  Because  God  is  merciful,  must  he  therefore  be 
unjust  1  He  who  is  glorious  in  holiness,  cannot  save 
sinners  in  their  sins,  or  admit  them  into  his  kingdom, 
whilst  sin  has  the  dominion  over  them  :  it  is  impossible. 
The  whole  of  divine  revelation,  yea,  the  very  plan  of 
the  Gospel,  is  designed  to  preserve  unsullied  the  infinite 
perfections  of  Jehovah  ;  whilst  the  vilest  of  sinners  are 
saved  from  hell,  and  made,  through  grace,  to  reflect  the 


FAITH. 

divine  image,  in  all  the  beauties  of  holiness,  rij 

.  ;'ii(]  truth. 

None  i  d  by  Christ,  bat  those  v.  ho  an 

from  their  sins,     [f  any  man  be  in  Christ,  he  is  i  mm 

"re. 

The  ap     -  Paul,  writing  to  the  Q  -If 

e  had  been  a  law  given,  which  coo  id  hove  g 
life,  verily  rightec  ihould  hare  been  by  the  i 

(Gal.  iii,  "21./ 
This  declaration  if  most  important     II   I  ould 

en  a  law  ritual  in  it-  requirements,  and 

awful  in  it-:  sanctions  ;  if  he  could  . 
red  in  its  standard,  and  yet  compatible  with  hi-:  in- 
holiness  and   man's   truest   hap]  'hen   life 

might  have  been  attained  by  such  a  law. 
But  as  this,  in  tl  nature  of  thin: 

I    d  cannot,  from  the  absolute  perfection  of  his  m 
command  leas  than  infinite  holiness  appro  ithan 

infinite  justice  demands  ;  as  his  law  is  immutably  holy, 
though  man  has  re  lelled  against  it,  and  lost  all  pc 
to  obey  it  ;   it  remains  an   unchan:-  ruth,  that 

cannot  come  by  a  law  which  condemns  the  very  thought 
i,  and  lays-   the  whole   human  race  under  merited 
condemnation. 

On  this  account,  the  .Scripture  hath  concluded  all  under 
sin,  that  the  promise  by  faith  of  .]•         Christ  might  be 
given  to  them  that  believe.      This  divine  truth  strike 
the  root  of  those  errors  which  would  make  the  0 
mitigated  law;   or  mix  man's  works  and  the  Saviour'g 
merits  in  the  great  act  of  justification  ;   or,  denying  the 
of  an  atonement,  make  mams  repentan:e  and 
obedience  sufficient  to  insure  the  approbation  of  He 
The  law  to  ua,  not  for  the  purpose  of  sbtasj 

eternal  life  by  our  obedience  to  its  requirerner, 
"  by  the  deeds  of  the  law  shall  no  flesh  liv;  <g  be 

9,2 


374  FAITH* 

fled  ;"  but  as  a  rule  of  life,  by  which  we  are  to  walk 
under  the  influence  and  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

The  Gospel  is  revealed  for  the  all-gracious  purpose  of 
redeeming  us  from  all  iniquity  ;  and  purifying  our  hearts 
from  sin,  through  faith  in  the  atonement  of  Jesus  the 
Son  of  God.  Here  spring  all  our  hopes  of  forgiveness  ; 
all  our  peace  of  conscience ;  all  our  joy  in  the  Holy 
Ghost.  From  this  source  of  mercy  we  derive  all  our 
power  to  love  and  serve  God  in  the  filial  spirit  of  adoption. 

Thus  it  is  evident,  that  where  infinite  justice  finds  its 
satisfaction,  there,  and  there  only,  can  my  guilty  soul  find 
its  salvation. 

The  Lamb  of  God,  bleeding  upon  the  cross,  as  the 
divinely  appointed  sacrifice  for  the  sins  of  a  fallen  world, 
is  the  sinner's  only  refuge  from  the  storm  of  eternal 
vengeance.  To  this  blessed  atonement  I  would  look , 
and  from  it,  I  would  draw  all  my  hopes  of  pardon,  peace, 
and  purity. 

Oh  !  for  more  faith  and  love.  Lord,  without  thee  I 
can  do  nothing.  I  feel  my  helplessness,  and  my  inward 
depravity.  Lead  me  to  the  Rock  which  is  higher  than 
I.  Wash  me  in  the  fountain  opened  for  sin  and  for  un- 
cleanness.  Sprinkle  clean  water  upon  me,  and  I  shall  be 
clean.  Put  thy  Spirit  within  me.  Cause  the  south  wind 
to  blow,  that  my  soul  may  be  filled  with  precious  fruits; 
that  the  spices  may  flow  out,  that  my  beloved  may  come 
and  eat  his  pleasant  fruits,  and  abide  with  me  for  ever  ! 

Oh  !  what  a  happy  life  is  a  life  of  faith  in  the  Son  of 
God.  To  have  the  humble,  yet  scriptural,  assurance 
that  my  sins  are  forgiven  ;  to  know  from  the  word  of 
truth,  and  to  be  persuaded  that  all  things  shall  work 
together  for  my  good;  is  the  divine  alchymy  which  turns 
all  to  gold. 

Sickness,  adversity,  persecution,  the  bufTetings  of 
Satan3  are  all  overruled  for  good,  when  the  soul  is  ac- 


FAITH*  375 

cepted  and  pardoned  through  faith  in  the  blood  of  Jesus. 
Nothing  can  separate  such  a  soul  from  the  love  of  God, 
whilst  abiding  in  Christ  by  faith. 

How  safe,  how  happy,  how  rich  is  the  true  believer 
in  Jesus.  He  is  safe  under  the  protecting  wing  of  the 
Almighty  ;  happy  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  divine  favor; 
rich  with  all  the  treasures  of  grace  and  glory.  He  is 
Christ's,  and  Christ  is  God's. 

And  yet,  how  is  such  a  state  despised  by  the  world  ! 
Those  who  live  in  the  enjoyment  of  it  are  deemed  en- 
thusiasts, or  perhaps  insane.  Numbers  who  would  be 
thought  religious,  treat  such  a  state  of  feeling  with  cold- 
ness, or  receive  it  with  caution.  They  seem  to  dread 
every  thing  that  is  fervent  or  transporting  in  religion ; 
as  if  the  affections  had  no  share  with  the  understanding 
in  the  great  transactions  between  Christ  and  the  soul. 

Oh  that  I  could  feel  my  heart  more  alive  to  God ;  more 
active  in  his  service  !  A  lukewarm  spirit  is  hateful  to  a 
God  of  love.  I  am  convinced  that  faith  is  the  gift  of 
God,  not  only  because  I  read  it  in  my  Bible,  but  because 
I  feel  my  utter  inability,  by  any  natural  power  of  my 
own,  to  produce  it  in  myself.  I  am  taught  to  pray  for 
this  blessing  in  the  name  of  Jesus.  But  true  prayer  is 
equally  the  gift  of  God. 

Thus  I  perceive  that  I  am  indebted  to  sovereign  grace 
alone  for  the  whole  work  of  salvation  from  first  to  last ; 
from  the  first  incipient  desire  after  God,  to  the  full  frui- 
tion of  him  in  glory. 

Then  what  must  I  do?  Must  I  sit  still  and  do  nothing? 
Ah,  no  !  This  would,  indeed,  be  enthusiasm.  Satan  and 
my  own  indolent  heart  would  have  me  act  in  this  manner. 
But  such  reasoning  would  condemn,  and  not  excuse  me 
in  the  day  of  judgment.  God  has  given  me  ar  jnder- 
standing,  which,  though  darkened  through  the  fall,  is 
still  capable,  under  the  advantages  of  Christian  instruc- 


376  FAITH. 

tion,  of  knowing  that  the  Creator  ought  to  be  loved,  and 
feared,  and  served  above  all  other  beings. 

He  has  given  me  a  conscience,  which,  though  awfully 
denied,  yet,  under  such  instruction,  is  capable  of  making 
me  feel  that  I  do  not  love,  and  fear,  and  serve  this  al- 
mighty Creator  above  all  other  things  ;  and  therefore, 
that  I  am  a  guilty  creature,  and  deserving  of  his  eternal 
wrath. 

God  1ms  cast  my  lot  in  a  land  where  Jesus  is  preached, 
where  sinners  are  invited  to  come  unto  him  for  all  those 
blessings  which  they  have  lost  through  the  fall,  and  of 
which  they  stand  in  need.  My  responsibility  is,  there- 
fore, increased  by  this  offered  mercy. 

What,  then,  must  I  do  1  Surely  it  is  my  duty,  as  a 
rational  and  responsible  creature,  to  listen  to  the  call  of 
my  heavenly  Father.  It  is  my  duty  to  come  to  the  cross 
of  Christ,  just  as  I  am,  blind,  ignorant,  helpless,  guilty, 
and  polluted,  that  I  may  obtain,  through  the  riches  of 
his  grace,  light,  and  strength,  and  righteousness,  and 
sanctification. 

If  I  do  not  come,  the  fault  is  altogether  my  own;  it  is 
because  I  will  not.  The  guilt  lies  in  the  bad  state  of  my 
heart.  If  I  do  come,  it  is  through  the  secret,  yet  power- 
ful operation  of  divine  grace,  seeing  God  is  the  first  mover 
of  the  heart  to  himself.  Infinite  Wisdom  knows  how 
to  reconcile  these  seeming  differences  ;  and  what  the 
believer  knows  not  now,  he  shall  know  hereafter. 

Hence  it  is  evident,  that  all  the  specious  pleas  and 
excuses  which  sinners  make  for  not  coming  to  Jesus, 
will  ere  long  be  found  to  originate  in  their  love  of  sin, 
and  in  the  corrupt  state  of  their  will.  Hell  will  be  filled 
with  self-reproaches,  and  with  eternal  self-condemna- 
tions. 

Let  not  Satan,  then,  Oh  my  soul,  and  a  perverse  re- 
bellious will,  keep  thee  from  the  Saviour.     Press  to  him 


FAITH. 


377 


through  the  crowd.  Be  not  afraid  of  meeting  with  a 
repulse.     His  heart  is  full  of  tenderness  and  love. 

Bartimeus  could  not  heal  his  blindness  ;  nor  the  leper 
his  leprosy ;  nor  the  poor  woman  her  issue  of  blood. 
They  all  felt  their  respective  maladies.  They  believed 
that  Jesus  could  restore  them.  They  applied  to  him, 
and  were  healed.     Go  and  do  thou  likewise. 

Cry  thou  also  to  the  Saviour  ;  touch  the  hem  of  his 
garment;  and  he,  who  is  all  power,  and  grace,  and  love, 
will  impart  this  saving  faith,  and  enable  thee  to  draw 
virtue  from  him ;  saying,  "  I  will,  be  thou  clean." 
"  Only  believe.  All  things  are  possible  to  him  that 
believeth." 

Lord,  I  believe ;  help  thou  mine  unbelief.  Lord,  in- 
crease my  faith.  Enable  me  to  come  to  thee  now  in 
humble  confidence  and  love,  that  I  may  receive  out  of 
thy  fulness  grace  for  grace.  Lord,  shine  upon  thy  work. 
Make  me  a  monument  of  thy  mercy,  that  I  may  live  to 
thy  glory,  and  sing  thy  everlasting  praise. 

Oppress'd  with  grief,  o'erwhelm'd  with  fear, 
Where  can  I  find  a  refuge  near? 
Dear  Saviour,  unto  thee  I  flee, 
Oh !  hide  me  in  Gethsemane. 

My  sins  assume  an  awful  form  ; 
Around  I  view  the  rising  storm ; 
I  fly,  my  only  Lord,  to  thee, 
Oh !  hide  me  in  Gethsemane. 

In  that  sweet  garden,  thou  didst  bear 
Of  guilt  and  pain  my  awful  share  ; 
Thy  bleeding  form  methinks  I  see 
Extended  in  Gethsemane. 

Oh  !  fill  my  heart  with  fervent  love ; 
To  thee,  let  each  affection  move ; 
From  sin  preserve  me  ever  free, 
While  shelter'd  in  Gethsemane, 


32^ 


373  hope. 


LXII. ON    HOPE. 

St.  Paul,  when  writing  to  the  Corinthians,  declared, 
u  Seme  of  you  have  not  the  knowledge  of  God  :  I  speak 
this  to  your  shame."  And  may  not  the  same  reproof 
be  directed  to  multitudes  of  professing  Christians  of  our 
day  ?     The  ignorance  of  many  is  lamentably  great. 

Light  is  in  the  dwellings  of  the  righteous,  and  the 
spiritual  Goshen  is  illuminated  by  the  beams  of  heaven- 
ly truth  :  but  what  an  awful  extent  of  territory  still 
remains  enveloped  in  Egyptian  darkness,  under  the 
tyranny  of  Satan  and  in  bondage  to  sin  !  With  Isaiah 
we  must  lament,  while  casting  our  eyes  over  the  moral 
world,  that  "  darkness  covers  the  earth,  and  gross  dark- 
ness the  people." 

With  what  fervency,  then,  should  true  believers  sup- 
plicate for  the  promised  out-pouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
who  alone  can  enlighten  the  understanding,  and  guide 
the  wretched  slave  to  Jesus  Christ  for  spiritual  redemp- 
tion. 

Too  many,  it  is  to  be  feared,  seek  their  knowledge 
from  human  sources,  rather  than  from  the  fountain  of 
divine  wisdom.  The  writings  of  good  men  may  be  law- 
fully used  as  little  rills  flowing  from  the  sacred  fountain 
of  inspiration  ;  but  wo  be  to  that  church  or  people,  who 
substitute  them  for  the  blessed  spring  itself.  It  is  a 
never-failing  mark  of  a  fallen  church,  when  human 
traditions  or  human  systems  are  raised  above,  made 
equal  with,  or  set  in  opposition  to,  the  revealed  word 
of  God. 

The  Bible  is  the  grand  depository  of  every  truth  that 
is  necessary  to  be  known,  believed,  and  practised,  in 
order  to  eternal  salvation.     But  even  the  Holy  Bible 


hope.  379 

itself  is  but  a  dead  letter,  without  a  spiritual  discernment 

of  its  doctrines,  and  a  spiritual  relish  for  its  precepts. 
"The  natural  man  receireth  not  the  things  of  the  Spirit 
of  God,  for  they  are  foolishness  unto  him  ;  neither  can 
he  know  them,  because  they  are  spiritually  discerned." 
But,  says  the  apostle,  "  God  hath  revealed  them  unto  113 
by  his  Spirit;  for  the  Spirit  searcheth  all  things,  yea,  the 
deep  things  of  God." 

How  affectionately  did  St.  Paul  pray  for  the  Rpliesiau 
converts,  that  God  "  would  give  unto  them  the  Spirit 
of  wisdom  and  revelation  in  the  knowledge  of  him  ; 
that  the  eyes  of  their  understanding  being  enlightened, 
they  might  know  what  is  the  hope  of  his  calling,  and 
what  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  his  inheritance  in  the 
saints." 

Many  professing  Christians  would  be  at  a  loss  to  give 
a  reason  of  the  hope  that  is  in  them.  They  tell  us,  in- 
deed, that  God  is  merciful  ;  that  they  trust  to  Jesus 
Christ ;  that  they  do  the  best  they  can,  and  want  to 
injure  no  one  ;  and  therefore  hope  that  all  will  end  well 
at  the  last  :  though  they  do  not  pretend  to  so  much  reli- 
gion as  some  people,  who  are  perhaps  no  better  than 
others,  notwithstanding  their  preciseness  and  apparent 
sanctity  of  character. 

This  is  a  creed  which  satisfies  the  consciences  of  thou- 
sands, while  their  affections  are  glued  to  the  world,  and 
the  love  of  Christ  is  a  stranger  to  their  hearts.  Such 
persons  have  no  sublime  views  of  the  Christian  hope.  A 
mist  of  ignorance  rests  upon  it,  which  obscures  its  glory 
and  damps  its  joy. 

Lord,  give  me,  through  the  teaching  of  thy  Spirit,  a 
sweet  realizing  view  of  this  blessed  hope,  which  bears 
up  thy  people  under  all  their  trials,  and  enables  them  to 
glorify  thee,  even  in  the  fires. 

The  hope  of  the  believer  in  Jesus  flows  from  the  free, 


380  HOPE. 

sovereign  love  of  Almighty  God ;  therefore  it  is  called 
"  a  good  hope  through  grace ;"  "  good,"  because  it 
issues  from  the  fountain  of  goodness  ;  "through  grace," 
because  it  originates  solely  in  unmerited  mercy.  This 
hope  rests  upon  an  immoveable  foundation,  even  on  the 
divinity  and  atonement  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  called  by 
the  Spirit  of  Truth  "  our  hope  ;"  because  all  our  hope 
of  salvation  is  treasured  up  in  him,  and  flows  from  him. 
All  who  possess  this  hope,  have  Christ  dwelling  in  their 
hearts  by  faith  ;  therefore,  says  the  apostle,  "  Christ  in 
you,  the  hope  of  glory."  The  Spirit  of  Christ  is  the 
earnest  and  seal  of  future  glory,  and  abides  in  the 
hearts  of  all  the  faithful  in  Christ  Jesus. 

But  how  are  we  to  know  when  we  truly  possess  this 
hope  of  glory  1  St.  John  informs  us,  "  Every  man  that 
hath  this  hope  in  him,  purifieth  himself,  even  as  God  is 
pure."  It  is  therefore  a  holy  principle,  sanctifying  and 
cleansing  the  soul.  He  who  has  the  hope  of  dwelling 
with  Christ  in  glory,  cannot  delight  in  the  service  of 
Satan,  or  in  the  pleasures  of  sin.  They  are  an  offence 
unto  him.  To  live  in  sin,  whilst  professing  to  enjoy  the 
hope  of  glory,  forms  an  indisputable  mark  of  hypocrisy, 
or  self-delusion. 

Oh  !  with  what  jealous  care  should  real  Christians 
watch  against  those  destructive  tenets,  which,  under 
the  cloak  of  evangelical  doctrines,  would  break  down 
the  barrier  of  Gospel  holiness,  and  let  in  the  wild  boar 
of  the  wood,  or  trample  under  foot  the  sacred  ground  of 
Zion.  "  He  that  saith,  I  know  him,  and  keepeth  not 
his  commandments,  is  a  liar,  and  the  truth  is  not  in 
mm." 

The  believer,  who  is  taught  from  above,  well  knows 
that  sin  separates  between  him  and  his  God;  and  pre- 
vents the  communication  of  his  gracious  beamings  on 
the  soul.     He,  therefore,  hates  and  loathes  this  infinite 


HOPE.  381 

evil.  He  longs  for  more  of  his  Saviour's  presence  and 
love  ;  and  mourns  over  every  corruption  of  his  nature, 
and  every  contracted  defilement,  of  which  his  heart  is 
made  conscious. 

Knowing  what  numberless  deviations  from  the  holy 
law  of  God  his  Saviour's  eye  beholds  continually  in  his 
daily  walk  and  conversation,  he  lifts  up  the  prayer  of 
David  with  self-abasement:  "Cleanse  thou  me  from 
secret  faults." 

He  pants  after  that  blessed  period,  when  sin  shall  no 
longer  rebel  against  the  Spirit  dwelling  within  him  ; 
and  therefore  the  "hope  of  glory"  is  to  him  a  glorious 
hope,  and  makes  him  long  to  be  dissolved,  that  he  may 
be  with  Christ. 

The  Christian's  hope  is  "a  lively  hope."  It  gives 
the  believer  vigor  in  running  the  race  that  is  set  before 
him.  It  animates  him  in  his  arduous  warfare.  It 
enables  him  to  endure,  with  patience  and  fortitude,  the 
rugged  path  through  which  he  has  to  travel  Zionward. 

The  Christian's  hope  is  "full  of  immortality."  It 
traverses  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  and  opens 
to  his  view  the  boundless  prospect  of  eternal  glory.  It 
gathers  by  delightful  anticipation  many  a  precious 
cluster  of  the  grapes  of  Eshcol,  and  thus  gives  a  fore- 
taste of  the  joys  of  heaven. 

The  Christian's  hope  "maketh  not  ashamed,  because 
the  love  of  God  is  shed  abroad  in  his  heart,  by  the  Holy 
Ghost  which  is  given  unto  him."  It  forms  a  divine 
evidence  of  his  union  to  Christ.  He  can  now  say  with 
St.  Paul,  "  I  am  not  ashamed  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ, 
for  it  is  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation  to  every  one 
that  believeth."  He  is  not  ashamed  to  confess  Christ 
before  men,  as  his  only  hope  of  glory.  He  can  declare 
with  humble  confidence  and  heartfelt  sincerity,  "  I  know 
whom  I  have  believed,  and  am  persuaded  that  he  is  able 


382  hope. 

to  keep  that  which  I  have  committed  unto  him  against 
that  day." 

The  Christian's  hope  is  "  a  helmet  of  salvation," 
which  covers  his  head  in  the  day  of  battle,  when  the 
fiery  darts  of  Satan  are  levelled  against  him.  It  is  "  an 
anchor  of  the  soul,"  both  sure  and  steadfast,  which 
preserves  the  tempest-tossed  soul  from  being  driven  into 
the  ocean  of  doubts  and  despondencies,  or  dashed  against 
the  rocks  of  presumption  or  despair. 

Surely,  then,  it  is  "  a  blessed  hope."  All  who  possess 
it  are  blessed.  This  made  the  apostle  pray  so  sweetly 
for  the  Roman  converts  :  "  Now  the  God  of  hope  fill  you 
with  all  joy  and  peace  in  believing,  that  ye  may  abound 
in  hope,  through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 

Diligence  and  privilege  are  inseparably  united  by  the 
wisdom  of  God.  Hence  St.  Paul  thus  exhorts  the 
Hebrews  :  "  God  is  not  unrighteous  to  forget  your  work 
and  labor  of  love,  which  ye  have  showed  towards  his 
name,  in  that  ye  have  ministered  to  the  saints,  and  do 
minister ;  and  we  desire  that  every  one  of  you  do  show 
the  same  diligence  to  the  full  assurance  of  hope  unto  the 
end  ;  that  ye  be  not  slothful,  but  followers  of  them  who, 
through  faith  and  patience,  inherit  the  promises." 

Examine  well,  Oh  my  soul,  what  is  the  hope  of  thy 
calling.  Thou  hast  been  and  art  continually  called  by 
the  outward  preaching  of  the  word;  but  here  is  the 
turning  point — hast  thou  been  drawn  to  Christ  by  the 
inward,  effectual  call  of  the  Holy  Spirit  1 

To  ascertain  this  important  fact,  inquire  what  is  the 
nature  of  thy  hope  ?  Is  it  a  good  hope  ?  a  blessed  hope  1 
a  hope  full  of  immortality  ]  Hast  thou  cast  the  anchor 
of  hope  within  the  veil]  Hast  thou  put  on  the  helmet 
of  salvation  ?  Dost  thou  find  thy  hope  to  be  a  lively 
hope,  animating  and  invigorating  thy  endeavors  after 
the   attainment   of   everlasting  life  1     Does   the   hope 


hope.  383 

which  thou  possessest  purify  all  thy  affections  1  Is 
Jesus  really  dwelling  in  thee  as  the  hope  of  glory  ]  Art 
thou  resting  on  him  as  the  only  foundation  of  hope  1 
And,  in  the  full  assurance  of  this  Christian  hope,  dost 
thou  enjoy  that  peace  which  passeth  understanding  ; 
that  joy  which  is  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory  %  If 
this  be  thy  experience,  then  rejoice  and  be  exceeding 
glad  ;  for  happy,  unspeakably  happy,  will  be  thy  lot 
through  the  countless  ages  of  eternity. 

But  Oh  !  hast  thou  not  reason  to  mourn  over  the  little 
progress  which  thou  hast  made  in  the  divine  life,  since 
the  bright  beams  of  grace  first  dawned  upon  thee  1 
Thou  knowest,  blessed  Lord,  that  I  want  to  love  thee 
more  than  I  have  ever  yet  done  ;  yea,  I  want  those 
unerring  marks  of  real  love,  which  never  fail  to  prove  it 
to  be  genuine.  I  want  to  feel  a  greater  delight  in 
prayer  ;  to  pour  out  my  heart  before  thee  with  more 
childlike  simplicity ;  to  tell  thee  more  freely  all  my 
wants  ;  to  mourn  more  deeply  over  all  my  corruptions; 
to  trust  more  unreservedly  to  the  blood  of  Jesus ;  to 
dread  all  approaches  to  sin,  and  earnestly  to  covet  the 
best  gifts  of  faith,  hope,  and  charity ;  humility  of  mind  ; 
holiness  of  heart;  deadness  to  the  world  ;  and  an  entire 
subjection  of  the  soul  to  thee.  Thou  canst  in  a  moment 
impart  these  blessings.  Thousands  have  been  partakers 
of  them,  without  diminishing  thy  fulness.  Open  the 
doors  of  my  heart,  enlarge  it  by  thy  grace,  and  let  it  be 
"  filled  with  thy  grace  and  heavenly  benediction." 

Thou  wilt  be  inquired  of  by  thy  people  ;  not  that 
thou  need  est  to  be  informed,  but  that  they  may  feel  their 
need  of  thee. 

Oh  that  I  may  approach  thee  at  all  times  sprinkled 
with  the  atoning  blood,  till  the  angel  of  death  shall  bear 
me  to  the  mansions  of  glory,  where  hope  shall  be  swal- 
lowed up  in  the  enjoyment  of  thy  everlasting  love. 


384  love. 

Unite,  ye  saints,  in  cheerful  praise, 
To  heav'n  your  joyful  voices  raise; 
Unite  in  melody  divine, 
Till  all  in  heartfelt  chorus  join. 

Let  sacred  hope  your  breasts  inspire ; 
While  love,  that  pure  celestial  fire, 
Burns  with  an  undiminished  blaze, 
Amid  the  symphonies  of  praise. 

Praise  Him,  who  gave  his  only  Son, 
For  crimes  winch  rebel  wonns  have  done  ; 
Praise  Him,  who  died  upon  the  tree, 
Who  bled  and  groan'd  on  Calvary. 

Praise  Him,  who  long  in  patient  love 
Our  stubborn  hearts  hath  sought  to  move ; 
Praise  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost, 
Ye  ransom'd  souls,  ye  heav'nly  host. 

O  !  may  our  praises  never  cease, 

Whilst  journeying  tow'rds  the  realms  of  peace; 

Where  saints  in  lovelier  accents  raise 

A  never-ending  song  of  praise. 


LXIII. ON    LOVE. 


True  Christian  love  is  of  an  enlarged,  disinterested 
nature.  It  loves  all  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in 
sincerity. 

Party  spirit  is  confined  within  the  limits  of  a  sect. 
But  Christian  love  outsteps  the  narrow  boundary;  and 
can  recognise  a  brother  in  each  humble  believer,  who 
practically  exemplifies  the  holy  doctrines  of  the  Gospel. 

When  we  love  our  own  party  exclusively,  or  persons 
only  of  our  own  peculiar  train  of  thinking,  we  love  cur- 
selves  in  them.  We  see  our  own  image,  and  admire  it. 
But  when  we  love  those  who  differ  from  us  in  non- 


love.  385 

essentials,  because  we  discover  in  them  the  humility, 

meekness,  purity,  patience,  and  benevolence  of  the  Re- 
deemer; then,  our  love  is  truly  Christian.  It  is  Christ 
in  them,  whom  we  love. 

How  little  of  this  enlarged  affection  on  pure  Christian 
principles  do  we  discover  in  the  professing  world!  We 
hear  much  about  it,  but  see  little  of  it.  It  is  highly 
extolled,  but  little  cultivated. 

The  heart  of  man  is  naturally  selfish  and  contracted, 
bigoted,  and  full  of  jealousies.  It  suspects  a  foe,  where 
charity  hails  a  friend.  Should  we  not,  then,  rejoice  in 
the  formation  of  those  glorious  institutions,  the  national 
Bible  Societies,  those  goodly  cedars  among  the  trees  of 
the  forest  ]  "  In  the  mountain  of  the  height  of  Israel 
will  I  plant  it  ;  and  it  shall  bring  fortn  boughs,  and  bear 
fruit,  and  be  a  goodly  cedar  ;  and  under  it  shall  dwell 
all  foicl  of  every  icing,  in  the  shadow  of  the  branches 
thereof  shall  they  dwell."   (Ez.  xvii,  23.) 

As  this  prophecy  beautifully  describes  the  blessed 
Gospel  of  Christ ;  so  it  may  be  lawfully  accommodated 
to  these  societies,  whose  boughs  are  extending  them- 
selves in  every  direction  ;  bearing  the  precious  fruit  of  the 
word  of  God,  and  affording  a  resting-place  for  "  all  fowl 
of  every  wing,"  however  diversified  in  form  or  color. 

How  admirably  adapted  is  the  Bible  Society  to  con- 
centrate all  the  energies  of  the  Christian  world  ;  t:  bring 
together  its  too  long  divided  parts  ;  to  smooth  down  the 
asperities  of  party  ;  to  excite  a  feeling  of  brotherly  love 
towards  those  who  differ  from  each  other  ;  to  call  into 
exercise  the  best  affections  of  tire  heart  amongst  its 
numerous  members  ;  and  all  this  without  compromising 
Miy  principle,  invading  any  province  of  private  judg- 
ment, or  violating  the  dictates  of  the  most  tender 
conscience. 

The  Bible  Society  is,  therefore,  a  blessing  to  the 
33 


380  LOVE. 

world.  Love  is  inscribed  upon  it.  Like  the  divine 
Author,  whose  book  it  circulates,  it  seeks  nothing  but 
the  promotion  of  peace  on  earth  and  good-will  towards 
men.     May  every  heart  say,  be  thou  perpetual! 

Nothing  is  more  evident  than  this  truth  : — that  Chris- 
tian charity  increases  our  happiness  with  its  own  in- 
crease. A  narrow,  contracted  spirit,  under  the  influence 
of  prejudice,  and  blinded  by  fond  partialities,  can  never 
enjoy  the  refined  pleasures  of  Christian  communion. 
Such  a  spirit  chills  and  freezes  the  soul ;  it  checks 
exertion,  except  when  party  is  concerned ;  and  looks 
shy  on  those,  however  excellent,  who  "  follow  not  us." 
Distinctions  seem  necessary  in  this  state  of  imperfection  ; 
but  real  Christians  know  well  how  to  distinguish  be- 
tween the  expansive  charity  of  the  Gospel,  and  that 
undefined  latitudinarianism,  which  would  le*-el  all  dis- 
tinctions. 

There  is  a  perfect  consistency  in  preferring  our  own 
peculiar  communion,  to  which  we  are  attached  from 
judgment  and  conscience  ;  and  in  loving  those  of  other 
communions,  who  bear  the  image  of  the  blessed  Jesus. 

Lord,  preserve  me  from  all  selfish  and  uncharitable 
feelings.  Be  thou  the  centre  of  my  affections ;  and 
may  their  only  boundary  be  thyself,  Oh  thou  unbounded 
ocean  of  eternal  love  !  Enable  me  to  give  the  right 
hand  of  fellowship  to  all  who  truly  love  thee  ;  and  to 
rejoice  in  being  in  any  measure  instrumental  in  hasten- 
ing on  that  glorious  period,  when  Judah  shall  not  vex 
Ephraim,  nor  Ephraini  envy  Judah  :  but  when  all  shall 
love  as  brethren. 

God  is  love.  Love,  therefore,  brings  heaven  into  the 
soul,  and  diffuses  happiness  wherever  its  influence  is 
felt.  Where  love  reigns,  there  is  peace  and  joy,  gentle- 
ness and  goodness.  How  clearly  does  this  consideration 
prove  to  us  the  divine  origin  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ, 


love.  337 

which  breathes  nothing  but  peace.  Earth  would  indeed 
be  blessed,  if  pure  Christian  love  dwelt  in  every  breast, 
and  regulated  every  thought. 

The  period  so  glowingly  depicted  by  Isaiah  is  fast  ap- 
proaching, when  "  they  shall  not  hurt  nor  destroy  in  all 
God's  holy  mountain."  But  what  is  described  as  the 
cause  of  this  blessedness  1  "  The  earth  shall  be  full  of 
the  knowledge  of  the  Lord,  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea." 
What  a  stimulus  should  this  be  to  strenuous  exertion 
and  fervent  prayers!  Every  true  believer  should  esteem 
it  his  privilege  and  duty,  according  to  his  ability,  to  aid 
in  building  the  spiritual  temple,  and  in  ushering  in  the 
latter  day  of  glory. 

Daniel  hath  foretold,  that  "  many  shall  run  to  and 
fro,  and  knowledge  shall  be  increased  ;"  while  the  dili- 
gent laborers  are  thus  encouraged  by  Zechariah  :  "  I 
will  strengthen  them  in  the  Lord,  and  they  shall  walk 
up  and  down  in  his  name,  saith  the  Lord."  Happy  are 
those  servants  who  shall  be  found  so  doing:  may  an 
increasing  company  of  faithful  missionaries  ever  abound 
in  their  labors  of  love,  till  all  shall  know  the  Lord,  from 
the  least  unto  the  greatest;  till  righteousness  shall  run 
down  as  water,  and  judgment  as  a  mighty  stream. 

Heaven  is  the  place  where  love  is  enjoyed  without 
alloy.  In  that  blessed  region  of  delight,  no  pride,  no 
envy,  no  discord  dwells.  In  the  angelic  world,  God  is 
supremely  loved,  and  feared,  and  obeyed.  Each  blessed 
spirit  loves  its  fellow ;  and  all  are  knit  together  in  one 
family  bond  of  love. 

Happy  state  !  Lord,  mould  my  soul  to  theirs,  or  rather 
to  thine  own  most  lovely  image.  Let  me  drink  deep 
into  thy  Spirit,  and  be  daily  preparing  for  those  mansions, 
where  all  is  harmony,  and  peace,  and  purity,  and  joy. 

From  the  word  of  truth  we  are  clearly  taught,  that 
notions  however  correct,  forms  however  excellent,  creeds 


388  love. 

however  orthodox,  ordinances  however  scriptural,  labors 
however  abundant,  and  sacrifices  however  costly,  will 
avail  nothing  in  the  sight  of  God,  if  genuine  love  be 
wanting  in  the  heart. 

Love  is  the  very  essence  of  true  religion.  It  is  the 
main  spring  which  puts  all  in  motion. 

Precious  faith  unites  the  sinner  to  the  Saviour;  while 
love,  the  fruit  of  faith,  produced  in  the  soul  through  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  gives  vitality  to  the  new  crea- 
ture, and  enables  him  to  act  for  God  alone. 

It  is  evident,  then,  that,  without  love,  all  religious 
profession  is  hypocrisy.  Our  real  character  is  not 
estimated  by  him  who  looketh  at  the  heart  from  what 
we  know,  or  from  what  we  say,  nor  even  from  what  we 
do  ;  but  from  the  inward  ruling  principle  of  the  mind. 

We  may  speak  with  the  tongues  of  men  and  of  angels, 
we  may  understand  all  mysteries  and  all  knowledge  ; 
we  may  give  all  our  goods  to  feed  the  poor,  and  our 
bodies  to  be  burned ;  and  yet  be  accounted  by  a  heart- 
searching  God  as  no  better  than  sounding  brass  or  a 
tinkling  cymbal.  We  may  attend  the  house  of  God 
with  scrupulous  exactness,  and  yet  have  no  heart  in  the 
work.  We  may  admire  the  preacher,  without  loving  the 
word  :  and  extol  a  form  of  devotion,  whilst  destitute  of 
pious  feeling. 

Oh  !  what  need  there  is  for  inward  searching  of  heart. 
True  religion  is  less  common  than  many  imagine. 
"Strait  is  the  gate  and  narrow  is  the  way  which  lead- 
eth  unto,  life,  and  few  there  be  that  find  it." 

Formality  and  hypocrisy  are  two  powerful  and  suc- 
cessful agents  of  Satan. 

The  enemy  of  souls  is  not  very  anxious  whether  men 
travel  to  hell  by  the  road  of  profaneness  or  false  profes- 
sion. The  latter,  being  more  creditable,  is  generally 
the  most  frequented.    Gross  vice  startles  the  conscience ; 


LOVE.  3S9 

whilst  the  garment  of  decency  thrown  over  the  general 
conduct,  quiets  the  mind,  and  makes  the  deluded  sinner 
more  easy  in  his  sins. 

Blessed  Lord,  save  me  from  the  delusions  of  Satan, 
and  the  deceitfulness  of  my  own  heart.  Let  me  know 
myself.  Guard  me  against  self-deception,  self-love,  and 
vain-glory.  Make  me  humble,  simple,  and  sincere. 
Fill  me  with  love,  and  fit  me  for  thy  service  and  glory. 

Love  is  the  distinctive  characteristic  of  all  God's  peo- 
ple. The  soul  which  is  savingly  enlightened  by  the 
Spirit  of  truth,  must,  as  a  natural  consequence,  love  God. 

There  is  a  knowledge  which  may  be  acquired  by  read- 
ing, hearing,  and  reflection.  Religion  may  be  learned 
as  a  science.  Its  doctrines  may  be  arranged  with  all 
the  accuracy  of  systematic  precision  ;  and  its  precepts 
be  admired  as  lessons  of  the  purest  morality.  But  such 
knowledge,  springing  only  from  the  exercise  of  the  in- 
tellectual faculties,  leaves  the  soul  in  its  natural  state 
of  pride,  earthliness,  and  self-sufficiency.  Such  knowl- 
edge puffeth  up,  whilst  charity  edifieth. 

Every  awakened  soul  wants  to  feel  the  love  of  God  as 
its  actuating  principle  ;  and  the  glory  of  God  as  its  con- 
stant aim.  Oh  that  I  may  experience  these  blessings 
more  and  more  !  Nothing  can  eradicate  the  love  of  the 
world  from  the  heart,  but  this  ardent  and  supreme  love 
to  God  as  the  highest  good,  implanted  in  the  soul  through 
the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  God  is  love.  When, 
therefore,  he  draws  forth  the  arrows  of  conviction,  and 
lodges  them  in  the  sinner's  conscience,  he  graciously 
dips  them  in  the  blood  of  Jesus,  that  he  may  heal,  as 
well  as  wt  und. 

Thus,  the  blessed  Spirit,  by  first  convincing  of  sin,  and 
then  revealing  the  Saviour,  gives  the  broken-hearted 
penitent  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  and  the  garment  of 
praise  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness. 

33* 


300  LOVE. 

How  gracious  are  the  operations  of  mercy  J  No  sin, 
however  great,  can  exclude  that  soul  from  heaven,  whom 
the  Lord  makes  a  monument  of  his  sovereign  grace.  As 
soon  might  the  black  vapors  of  the  night  which  skirt 
the  horizon,  prevent  the  rising  of  the  sun.  "  By  grace 
are  ye  saved."  "  By  the  grace  of  God,  I  am  what  I  am," 
is  the  language  of  Paul,  who  styles  himself  the  chief  of 
sinners,  and  whose  delight  is  to  magnify  the  exceeding 
riches  of  redeeming  love. 

God  is  love.  Hence  all  holiness  proceeds  from  him. 
He  must  first  draw  the  heart  to  himself  by  the  powerful 
attractions  of  his  own  eternal  love,  or  it  will  for  ever  re- 
main hard  as  adamant,  and  vile  as  hell.  "  I  have  loved 
thee  with  an  everlasting  love,  therefore  with  loving- 
kindness  have  I  drawn  thee,"  are  the  sweet  accents  of 
mercy  to  a  family  of  backsliding  children. 

The  Spirit  of  God  can  alone  fill  the  heart  with  love. 
The  apostle  gives  love  the  first  place  among  the  fruits 
of  the  Spirit  ;  for  if  this  heavenly  grace  be  wanting  in 
us,  all  the  rest  of  our  benevolent  or  amiable  qualities 
will  profit  us  nothing. 

How  important,  then,  is  self-examination  on  a  subject 
which  involves  our  present  and  eternal  happiness ! 

If  I  am  a  child  of  God,  I  shall  love  him  supremely. 
It  is  impossible  tc  be  in  the  family  of  God,  and  not  love 
God  ;  for  every  one  that  loveth,  is  born  of  God  and 
knoweth  God.  He  that  loveth  not,  knoweth  not  God, 
for  God  is  love.  Oh  my  soul,  think  what  thou  owest  to 
thy  great  Creator.  I  am  indebted  to  God  for  my  being, 
my  daily  preservation,  my  hourly  comforts.  From  him 
I  receive  every  blessing ;  health^  friends,  and  domestic 
enjoyments.  To  him  I  owe  myself  and  all  my  powers  ; 
yea,  all  that  I  am  and  have.  He  not  only  made  me  ; 
but,  Oh  wonderful  love  !  he  took  my  nature  upon  him, 
and  died,  the  just  for  the  unjust,  that  through  his  atoning 


LOVE.  391 

blood,  I  might  be  saved  from  sin  and  the  wrath  to  come. 
If  I  am  a  child  of  God,  I  shall  love  all  his  children. 
If  I  am  in  the  family  of  God,  I  shall  love  all  the  mem- 
bers of  his  family.  This  St.  John  declares  as  evidential 
of  a  state  of  salvation  :  "  we  know  that  we  have  passed 
from  death  unto  life,  because  we  love  the  brethren." 
"For  every  one  that  loveth  him  that  begat,  loveth  him 
also  that  is  begotten  of  him."  Thus  Christian  love 
passes  over  the  threshold  of  home,  sect,  and  nation  ; 
and  embraces  all  who  love  the  Saviour,  whether  inhab- 
iting the  torrid  or  the  frigid  zone. 

If  I  am  a  child  of  God,  I  shall  love  the  command- 
ments of  God.  His  law  will  be  my  rule  of  life,  whilst 
Christ  crucified  is  the  sole  foundation  of  my  hope.  I 
shall  have  more  delight  in  his  word  than  in  all  manner 
of  riches  ;  for  these  can  only  gratify  my  animal  nature, 
whilst  that  can  satisfy  my  immortal  soul. 

If  I  am  a  child  of  God,  I  shall  be  anxious  to  live  to  his 
glory  ;  to  employ  my  talents  in  his  service  ;  and  to  pro- 
mote his  cause  amongst  men.  I  shall  not  be  ashamed 
to  confess  myself  his  servant.  If  reproached,  I  shall  re- 
joice in  being  counted  worthy  to  suffer  shame  for  his 
name,  and  shall  be  willing  to  be  accounted  even  the 
offscourings  of  all  things  for  Jesus'  sake. 

If  I  am  a  child  of  God,  I  shall  bear  the  image  of  God. 
In  God's  family  there  is  a  family  likeness.  All  the 
children  resemble  their  heavenly  parent.  They  have 
the  mind  of  Christ,  and  are  renewed  in  knowledge  after 
the  image  of  Him  who  created  them.  "  If  any  man  be 
in  Christ,  he  is  a  new  creature;  but  if  any  man  have 
not  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none  of  his." 

I  may  possess  an  extensive  knowledge  of  divine  truth, 
and  a  facility  of  utterance,  which,  when  combined  with 
strong  natural  warmth  of  feeling,  may  cause  me  to  make 
an  imposing  appearance  before  an  humble,  retired  Chris- 


392  love. 

tian  :  but  what  will  knowledge  avail,  if  destitute  of 
humility  ;  or  glowing  eloquence,  if  devoid  of  love  1 

Let  me,  then,  seek  most  earnestly  the  sweet  graces  of 
the  Spirit — love,  humility,  and  purity.  These  will  make 
me  like  the  blessed  Jesus,  whose  whole  character  bore 
these  sacred  features,  and  whose  gentle  command  is, 
"Learn  of  me,  for  I  am  meek  and  lowly  in  heart,  and 
ye  shall  find  rest  unto  your  souls." 

Blessed  Jesus  !  be  pleased  to  sanctify  the  desires  of 
my  heart.  This  is  thy  will,  even  my  sanctification.  Let 
it  be  my  will  also.  Oh  put  forth  thy  healing  hand  ; 
touch  my  leprous  soul ;  yea,  speak  the  word  only,  and 
thy  servant  shall  be  healed.  Let  me  never  for  one 
moment  doubt  thy  willingness  to  save,  though  I  be  the 
very  chief  of  sinners. 

Thy  grace  is  infinite  ;  if  it  were  not  infinite,  I  might 
indeed  despair ;  but  being  infinite,  how  can  I  despond  1 
Oh  what  a  word  is  infinite  !  There  is  no  depth  of  guilt 
in  which  infinite  mercy  cannot  reach  me  ;  and  no  height 
of  glory,  to  which  infinite  love  cannot  raise  me  ! 

Rejoice,  then,  Oh  my  soul,  and  be  filled  with  thanks- 
giving. Jesus  is  thy  all-sufficient  Saviour.  Believe  in 
him ;  trust  in  him ;  come  to  him ;  and  love  him :  and 
then  shalt  thou  be  saved  with  a  present  and  everlasting 
salvation. 

How  blest  are  they  who  love  the  Lord, 

Who  lean  upon  his  word ; 
They  feel  a  joy,  a  peace  within, 

Which  earth  cannot  afford. 

By  faith  they  see  the  heavenly  world, 

And  taste  the  Saviour's  grace ; 
The  bliss  conceal'd  from  carnal  eyes 

They  view  "  with  open  face." 

They  know  their  int'rest  in  his  love, 

Who  bought  them  with  his  blood ; 
And  with  assured  faith  can  say, 

My  Saviour,  and  my  God. 


joy  393 


Ye  blessed  flock — ye  chosen  few, 
Let  grateful  praise  ascend  ; 

And,  as  ye  pass  the  vale  of  life, 
Extol  trie  sinner's  Friend. 


LXIV. ON    JOY. 


Christian  joy  is  not  a  tumultuous  passion,  or  feverish 
affection  ;  but  a  calm  and  composed  frame  ;  a  holy  seren- 
ity of  soul ;  a  gladsome  rest  in  the  faithfulness  and  grace 
of  Jesus.  It  sheds  a  lustre  over  the  countenance  ;  beams 
forth  at  the  eye,  and  often  causes  it  to  be  suffused  in  tears. 
It  creates  an  indescribable  delight  in  the  heart. 

St.  Paul  was  in  this  heavenly  frame,  when  he  said, 
"  I  am  filled  with  comfort ;  I  am  exceeding  joyful  in  all 
my  tribulation."  This  holy  joy  does  not  depend  on  out- 
ward circumstances,  for  the  apostle  could  say,  "  As  sor- 
rowful, yet  always  rejoicing."  No  one  possesses  this 
inward  joy,  but  the  real  believer.  "A  stranger  inter- 
meddleth  not  with  it."  It  is  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit,  and 
flows  from  a  lively  faith  in  the  divinity  and  atonement 
of  Jesus. 

So  inseparable  from  Christian  joy  are  right  views  of 
the  blessed  Saviour,  that  St.  John  commences  his  first 
Epistle,  as  he  did  his  Gospel,  by  refuting  those  two  here- 
sies, which,  like  poisonous  weeds,  were  then  springing 
up.  The  one  propagated  by  the  Gnostics  or  Docetae, 
who  denied  the  real  humanity  ;  the  other  by  the  Ebion- 
ites,  who  denied  the  essential  divinity  of  the  Redeemer. 
How  conclusive  are  the  declarations  of  St.  John :  "  That 
which  was  from  the  beginning,  which  we  have  heard, 
which  we  have  seen  with  our  eyes,  which  we  have  looked 
upon,  and  our  hands  have  handled  of  the  word  of  life." 


394  joy. 

What  language*can  more  fully  describe  the  real  human- 
ity of  the  Son  of  God  ?  "  For  the  life  was  manifested, 
and  we  have  seen  it,  and  bear  witness,  and  show  unto 
you  that  eternal  life  which  was  with  the  Father,  and  was 
manifested  unto  us."  What  a  striking  attestation  to  the 
divinity  of  Christ!  "That  which  we  have  seen  and 
heard,  declare  we  unto  you,  that  ye  also  may  have  fel- 
lowship with  us;  and  truly  our  fellowship  is  with  the 
Father,  and  with  his  Son  Jesus  Christ.  And  these  things 
write  we  unto  you,  that  your  joy  may  be  full" 

Thus  the  apostle  clearly  and  unequivocally  states,  that 
Christian  communion  can  only  be  maintained  in  its 
blessedness,  and  Christian  joy  possessed  in  its  fulness,  by 
a  cordial  reception  of  Jesus  Christ,  as  "  God  manifest  in 
the  flesh." 

It  were  well,  if  all  who  profess  to  believe  in  Jesus 
would  examine  the  ground  of  their  faith,  and  the  source 
of  their  joy,  by  this  highly  important  passage  in  the  word 
of  God.  Holy  joy  is  a  portion  of  heaven  brought  down 
into  the  soul,  and  enables  the  believer  to  soar  above  the 
troubles  which  assail  him.  Like  the  Alpine  traveller, 
he  looks  down  upon  the  storm  which  agitates  the  vale 
beneath.  Even  when  compelled  to  exclaim,  "  without 
are  fightings,  and  within  are  fears,"  he  can  "  rejoice 
evermore." 

Habakkuk  was  truly  happy,  when,  raised  above  all  the 
changing  scenes  of  life,  he  thus  sang  to  the  harp  of  pro- 
phecy :  "  Although  the  fig-tree  shall  not  blossom,  neither 
shall  fruit  be  in  the  vine  ;  the  labor  of  the  olive  shall 
fail,  and  the  fields  shall  yield  no  meat ;  the  flock  shall 
be  cut  off  from  the  fold,  and  there  shall  be  no  herd  in 
the  stall :  yet  I  will  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  I  will  joy  in  the 
God  of  my  salvation." 

The  apostles  sang  in  the  prison.  The  martyrs  praised 
God  in  the  fires.     They  rejoiced  in  hope  of  the  glory  of 


joy.  395 

God,  and  were  made  more  than  conquerors  through  him 
who  loved  them,  and  gave  himself  for  them. 

This  holy  joy,  this  peaceful  state  of  heart,  is,  never- 
theless, liable  to  be  disturbed  and  ruffled. 

Through  the  remaining  corruption  of  his  nature,  the 
believer  is  often  sorely  harassed  and  distressed.  The 
enemy  plies  him  very  closely  with  his  temptations.  Tims 
he  finds  hourly  need  for  w^atch fulness  and  prayer,  as 
well  as  for  deep  humiliation  and  self-abhorrence.  If 
ensnared,  through  the  subtlety  of  Satan,  or  by  sudden 
Burprisals  of  temptations,  the  enemy  exults,  and  his  heart 
is  grieved.  Yet,  what  must  he  do  1  Through  grace,  he 
betakes  himself  to  the  blood  of  sprinkling.  He  goes 
mourning  to  his  heavenly  Father,  acknowledging  his 
sin  ;  pleads  the  merit  of  his  Saviour ;  implores  the  con- 
tinued aid  and  protection  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  lies  low  in 
self-abasement  at  the  foot  of  the  cross,  and  there  receives 
this  gracious  word  applied  powerfully  to  his  soul :  "  go 
in  peace,  thy  sins  are  forgiven  thee."  Light  beams  once 
more  in  his  heart ;  joy  once  more  fills  his  soul.  He 
hates  himself  and  loves  his  Saviour;  watches  more  nar- 
rowly over  the  inward  motions  of  his  spirit ;  distrusts 
himself;  and  relies  more  confidently  on  the  grace  of  his 
covenant  God. 

Thus  the  enemy  of  souls  is  baffled ;  his  growth  in 
humility  is  promoted  ;  and  God,  through  his  restoring 
grace,  is  glorified. 

"Affliction,"  says  the  apostle,  "is  not  joyous,  but  griev- 
ous." Hence  outward  troubles  may  damp  the  believer's 
joy,  while  he  looks  off  from  the  Saviour  to  the  boisterous 
wind  and  waves  which  rage  around  him.  Peter  did  so, 
and  began  to  sink.  Faith,  however,  clings  fast  to  the 
Saviour  and  exults  in  the  storm. 

Paul  was  compelled  at  times  to  say,  "  I  have  great 
heaviness   and   continual    sorrow   in  my   heart."     But 


398  joy. 

whence  arose  this  grief]  It  sprang  from  the  deep  con- 
cern which  he  felt  for  his  perishing  brethren  according  to 
the  flesh. 

Thus  many  favored  souls  who  are  happy  in  the  love 
of  God,  and  who  rejoice  in  Jesus  with  a  joy  unspeakable 
and  full  of  glory,  can  sympathize  with  David,  and  say, 
"  Rivers  of  water  run  down  mine  eyes,  because  men  keep 
not  thy  law."  Their  persenal  jcy  may  be  in  lively  ex- 
ercise, whilst  their  hearts  are  greatly  grieved  for  a  world 
which  lieth  in  wickedness.  Is  not  this  the  characteris- 
tic feeling  of  the  children  of  God  1 

Christian  charity  is  a  compound  of  active  benevolence 
and  tender  compassion,  flowing  from  a  supreme  love  to 
Jesus  Christ. 

The  true  believer  is,  therefore,  the  genuine  philan- 
thropist. He  not  only  feels  for  the  miseries  of  others, 
but  labors  to  remove  them  by  prayer  and  suitable  exer- 
tion. His  heart  can  melt  at  another's  wo,  and  gladden 
at  another's  welfare.  Hence  he  rejoices  over  one  sinner 
that  repenteth.  He  feels  his  own  joy  increased  by  each 
increase  to  the  church  of  God.  He  rejoiceth  not  in  ini- 
quity, but  rejoiceth  in  the  truth.  As  sin  pains  him,  both 
when,  felt  in  himself  and  seen  in  others,  so  holiness 
delights  him,  when,  like  Barnabas,  he  beholds  its  grow- 
ing influence  in  those  around  him.  The  joy  of  the  Lord 
is  his  strength.  When  faith  is  in  lively  exercise,  and 
joy  is  springing  up  in  his  soul,  he  can  brave  every  danger, 
and  boldly  encounter  every  enemy  which  may  oppose 
his  way  to  glory. 

Such  is  the  happy  experience  of  the  believer  in  Jesus. 
It  is  his  privilege  to  rejoice.  A  God  of  sovereign  love 
wills  the  happiness  of  his  people.  As  nothing  but  sin 
can  separate  the  soul  from  God,  or  cause  him  to  hide  his 
face  from  us  ;  so  nothing  but  sin  ought  really  to  damp 
our  joy.     Wo  be  to  him  who  can  feel  joyous  in  his  sins  ! 


joy.  397 

The  Gospel  is  good  news,  glad  tidings  of  great  joy. 
Those  worldly  persons  greatly  mistake  its  nature,  ten- 
dency, and  design,  who  suppose  it  to  he  a  mere  system 
of  restraints  ;  an  enemy  to  innocent  enjoyment.  Its 
ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness,  and  all  its  paths  are 
peace.  The  Gospel  bids  us  to  be  happy.  All  that  it 
condemns  is,  an  abuse  of  divine  mercies,  and  that  alien- 
ation of  heart  which  leads  us  to  seek  from  the  broken 
cisterns  of  the  world  that  happiness,  which  can  only  be 
derived  from  the  eternal  fountain  of  uncreated  excel- 
lence. 

The  Gospel,  whilst  it  faithfully  reveals  to  us  our 
ruined  state  as  sinners,  and  our  utter  unworthiness  of 
the  least  of  God's  mercies,  graciously  opens  to  our  view 
the  way  to  unspeakable  felicity,  through  the  incarnation 
and  death  of  the  eternal  Son  of  God. 

Those  who  reject  the  Gospel,  and  choose  the  forbidden 
pleasures  of  sin,  find  the  fruit  of  their  choice  to  be  bitter- 
ness and  death  ;  whilst  those  who  cheerfully  renounce 
the  world,  and  yield  themselves  unto  God  through  Jesus 
Christ,  have  a  spring  of  holy  joy  opened  in  their  souls, 
which  shall  flow  onward,  till  it  issue  in  everlasting  life. 

Oh  !  my  soul,  is  this  thy  experience  ]  Dost  thou  feel 
this  inward  joy  in  a  crucified  Jesus  ]  Art  thou  leaning 
on  the  bosom  of  thy  Saviour  ;  resting  on  covenant  faith- 
fulness  and  unchanging  love] 

Enable  me,  blessed  Lord,  with  joy  to  draw  water  out 
of  the  wells  of  salvation  ;  to  come  daily  unto  thee,  the 
fountain  of  consolation;  who  hast  said,  "drink,  yea, 
drink  abundantly,  Oh  beloved." 

When  I  feel  my  inward  depravity,  Oh  give  me  grace 
to  see,  with  the  eye  of  faith,  the  glorious  remedy  which 
thou  hast  provided.  May  I  lay  hold  on  Jesus  Christ, 
and  never  let  him  go,  until  he  bless  me.  Shine  into  my 
heart  with    the   bright   beam   of  thy  heavenly  grace, 

34 


398  PEACE. 

Shed  abroad  thy  love  in  my  soul.  Give  me  the  witness 
of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Grant  that  I  may  taste  thy  goodness 
here,  in  the  sweet  refreshing  streams  of  Gospel  joy,  till, 
borne  with  gladsome  wing  to  the  fountain-head  in  glory, 
my  soul  shall  be  lost  in  wonder,  love,  and  praise. 

How  sweet  the  sacred  joy  that  dwells 

In  souls  renew'd  by  power  divine ; 
"Where  Jesus  all  his  goodness  tells  : 

Oh !  may  this  joy  be  ever  mine ! 

Descend  and  bless  thy  servant,  Lord, 

Thy  loving  Spirit  now  impart; 
Speak  thou  the  all-enlivening  word, 

And  seal  salvation  to  my  heart. 

From  earth,  and  all  its  fleeting  toys, 

Be  all  my  fond  desires  withdrawn; 
Oh  fill  my  soul  with  heavenly  joys, 

Of  endless  bliss  the  glorious  dawn. 

Then  shall  my  raptured  spirit  sing, 

In  strains  of  pure  celestial  love ; 
When,  borne  on  some  kind  seraph's  wing, 

I  soar  to  brighter  worlds  above. 


LXV. ON    PEACE. 


There  is  something  peculiarly  calming  to  the  soul  in 
these  beautiful  words  :  "  Thou  wilt  keep  him  in  perfect 
peace  whose  mind  is  stayed  on  thee,  because  he  trusteth 
in  thee." 

This  is  a  world  of  sin  and  trouble.  Here,  thorns  and 
thistles  grow  around  us  ;  painful  emblems  of  the  human 
heart,  and  of  the  sad  change  which  passed  on  Adam  at 
the  fall. 


PEACE.  399 

Though  painful  the  change,  yet,  with  a  pleasing 
mournful  recollection,  our  minds  delight  to  contemplate 
the  first  parents  of  our  race  enjoying  communion  with 
their  God,  and  happy  intercourse  with  each  other  in  the 
bowers  of  Eden.  All  was,  then,  serene  and  peaceful. 
No  indulged  sin  poisoned  their  joys,  or  caused  the  divine 
countenance  to  be  turned  away  from  them.  They  had 
no  feeling,  but  love  and  gratitude  ;  no  desire,  but  to 
serve  and  please  their  Almighty  Creator. 

This  happy  state  was,  alas  !  of  short  duration.  They 
listened  to  the  voice  of  the  tempter'^  and  fell  from  holi- 
ness, from  happiness,  and  from  God. 

He,  who  lately  held  sweet  converse  with  his  creatures, 
now  banished  them  from  Paradise,  denied  them  all 
access  to  the  tree  of  life,  that  pledge  of  immortality,  and, 
in  righteous  judgment,  pronounced  the  curse  upon  them. 

They  now  became  dying  creatures  doomed  through 
their  wilful  disobedience  to  present  and  eternal  misery. 
The  ground  was  cursed  for  their  sake.  Refusing  its 
spontaneous  fruitfulness,  it  required  their  toil  and  labor  ; 
whilst  the  prickly  thorn  and  thistle  sprang  up  as  silent, 
monitors  to  remind  them  of  their  sins. 

May  we  not  ask  with  anxious  solicitude,  How  can 
such  fallen,  wretched  creatures  be  kept  in  peace,  "  in 
perfect  peace  ?"  What  warrant  have  we  to  trust  in 
God,  or  stay  our  minds  upon  him,  as  our  righteousness 
and  strength? 

This  important  question  has  been  answered  by  God 
himself.  He  graciously  promised  a  Saviour,  even  at  the 
time  when  Justice  pronounced  death  on  the  trans- 
gressors. Thus  mercy  rejoiced  against  judgment,  and 
shed  a  ray  of  heavenly  light  over  the  benighted  souls  of 
our  fallen  parents. 

In  the  fulness  of  time,  Jesus,  the  promised  seed  of  the 
woman,  was  born,     The  ransom-price  was  paid  by  his 


400  PEACE. 

precious  blood-shedding  upon  the  cross ;  and  the  gates 
of  heaven  were  opened  to  all  believers. 

The  Gospel  was  preached,  and  pardon  proclaimed  to 
every  humble,  penitent,  believing  soul. 

All  who  lived  before  the  advent  of  Christ,  looking  to 
the  promise,  and  resting  in  the  covenant  of  grace,  were 
accepted  in  the  beloved  ;  and  those  who  have  lived  since 
his  advent  in  the  flesh,  can  say,  "  whom  having  not  seen, 
we  love :  and  in  whom,  though  now  we  see  him  not,  yet 
believing,  we  rejoice  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of 
glory."  • 

To  all  such,  the  prophet  proclaims  peace  :  "  Thou 
wilt  keep  him  in  perfect  peace  whose  mind  is  stayed  on 
thee." 

Here,  then,  we  learn  the  nature  of  true  religion.  It 
is  staying  the  mind  upon  God.  As  unbelieving  sinners, 
we  cannot  do  this ;  as  believing  penitents,  we  may. 
Yes !  it  is  the  privilege  of  every  contrite  soul,  thus  to 
repose  upon  the  mercies  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus. 

Oh  blessed  truth  !  though  by  nature  far  from  God, 
we  are  brought  nigh  by  the  blood  of  Christ ;  though 
lying  under  the  curse  of  a  broken  law,  we  are  delivered 
from  condemnation  through  the  death  of  Jesus ;  though 
helpless,  restless,  and  wretched  in  ourselves,  we  are 
privileged,  through  faith,  to  stay  our  minds  upon  God, 
as  our  strength,  our  rest,  and  our  peace. 

Oh  what  a  work  of  grace,  mercy,  and  love  !  Bless 
the  Lord,  Oh  my  soul,  and  all  that  is  within  me  bless 
his  holy  name. 

We  also  learn  where  true  stability  is  to  be  found.  It 
is  in  God.  Every  thing  here  is  fickle  and  changing ; 
but  that  God  who  gives  peace  unto  his  people,  "changes 
not,  nor  knows  the  shadow  of  a  turn."  The  soul,  there- 
fore, which  is  stayed  on  him,  finds  rest  and  peace. 

If  I  stay  my  hopes  upon  an  earthly  friend,  death  re- 


PEACE.  401 

moves  the  prop,  and  I  fall,  and  mourn,  and  weep.  If  I 
place  my  confidence  on  riches,  they  fly  away  as  an 
eagle  towards  heaven,  and  leave  me  to  regret  the  folly 
of  my  covetous  desires.  If  I  build  upon  the  breath  of 
fame,  it  dies  away,  or  changes  into  scorn  or  slander. 
If  I  repose  upon  the  rosy  couch  of  earthly  comforts,  how- 
ever lawful  and  endearing,  these  lovely  flowers  will 
quickly  fade,  and  leave  me  nothing  but  the  thorns. 

Jesus  is  the  only  source  of  comfort ;  the  only  spring 
of  joy.  From  him  proceed  all  the  peace  and  purity 
which  gladden  and  beautify  the  church  of  God. 

Oh  my  soul,  never  look  for  peace  from  the  creature  ; 
never  expect  it  from  thyself.  He  who  made  peace  for 
thee  by  the  blood  of  his  cross,  can  alone  impart  peace  to 
thy  trembling  conscience.  Jesus  is  the  Prince  of  Peace. 
Whilst  rejecting  his  salvation,  peace  can  never  be  en- 
joyed. "  There  is  no  peace,  saith  my  God,  to  the 
wicked."  Solemn  truth  !  no  less  engraven  on  the  sin- 
ner's heart,  than  recorded  in  the  book  of  God. 

How  can  peace  dwell  in  a  bosom  on  which  the  heavy 
curse  of  the  Almighty  continually  abides  1 

The  world  may  appear  smiling  and  happy,  but  its 
appearances  are  deceitful.  True  peace  descends  from 
above.  It  is  the  fruit  of  faith.  The  Holy  Spirit  alone 
can  produce  this  blessedness  in  the  soul;  and,  therefore, 
none  can  possess  it  but  the  faithful  in  Christ  Jesus. 

The  world  can  yield  no  solid  peace  to  its  most  zealous 
votaries.  Whatever  I  possess,  without  the  presence  of  my 
heavenly  Father,  is  unsatisfying  and  unstable.  Oh  my 
soul,  seek  a  higher  bliss  than  any  which  earth  can  give. 

Blessed  Spirit  of  peace  and  love,  place  me  on  the  rock 
of  ages  ;  let  me  never,  never  stray  from  thee.  Be  thou 
the  guide  of  my  steps,  and  the  guardian  of  my  days. 
Give  me  thy  peace  always  by  all  means,  and  make  me 
a  living  temple  consecrated  wholly  unto  thee. 

34* 


402  HUMILITY. 

How  great  the  peace,  how  blest  the  joy, 
Each  true  believer  inly  feels ! 

Satan  can  ne'er  the  bliss  destroy, 
Which  faith  in  Jesus  sweetly  yields. 

Amid  the  ruffling  scenes  of  life, 

Amid  the  storms  which  rage  below, 

A  calm  retreat,  removed  from  strife, 
Does  Jesus  on  his  saints  bestow. 

He  kindly  spreads  his  loving  arms, 
As  parent  wings  protect  their  brood  ; 

He  shields  from  danger  and  alarms ; 
He  fills  his  saints  with  ev'ry  good. 

Oh  could  I  call  this  blessing  mine ; 

How  rich,  how  vast  the  sacred  store ! 
Blest  Saviour  !  grant  one  gracious  smile, 

And  earth  shall  hold  my  heart  no  more. 

One  gracious  smile  of  heav'nly  love 
Would  melt  my  heart  and  lay  me  low: 

One  blissful  smile,  which  saints  above, 
Which  happy  angels  ever  know. 


LXVI. ON    HUMILITY. 

Pride  and  vanity  cannot  thrive  at  the  foot  of  the 
cross.  It  is  only  when  we  remove  from  this  holy 
ground,  that  they  shoot  out  their  pestiferous  branches  in 
awful  luxuriancy. 

True  humility  loves  the  sacred  mount  of  Calvary,  on 
which  the  lowly  Saviour  bowed  his  head  and  died  ! 
There,  repentance  sheds  the  contrite  tear.  There,  faith 
views  with  joy  the  great  atonement.  There,  love  glows 
with  fervent  desires  to  the  Friend  of  sinners. 

Man  is  naturally  a  proud,  selfish  creature.  Morality 
may  teach  him  the  meanness  of  such  a  character,  but 


humility.  403 

can  never  produce  in  him  any  principle  of  renovation. 
He  tries  indeed  to  appear  humble  and  disinterested,  but 
the  monster  Pride  is  easily  seen  through  the  thin  veil 
of  false  humility,  which  is  thrown  over  its  frightful 
visage ;  whilst  Self,  like  another  Proteus,  assumes  a 
thousand  forms  to  escape  detection. 

It  is  only  when  the  divine  Spirit  puts  forth  his  new- 
creating  power,  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  ever- 
lasting Gospel,  that  the  proud  selfish  sinner  becomes  the 
lowly  follower  of  the  Lamb.  He  then  learns  to  bear 
with  cheerfulness  the  burden  of  a  suffering  brother, 
whilst,  with  all  lowliness  of  mind,  he  esteems  others 
better  than  himself. 

Humility  is,  then,  the  work  of  grace.  Without  it, 
there  can  be  no  salvation  ;  for  God  resisteth  the  proud, 
and  sendeth  the  rich  empty  away.  If  angels  in  glory 
hide  their  faces  wTith  their  wings,  when  standing  before 
the  Lord  of  hosts  :  if  glorified  saints  cast  their  crowns 
before  the  throne  of  their  Redeemer :  if  the  humblest 
believer  is  the  greatest  in  the  Gospel  kingdom  :  what  a 
heaven-born  grace  is  humility !  How  beautiful  is  the 
exhortation  of  St.  Peter  :  "  Be  ye  clothed  with  humility." 

Oh  that  my  soul  may  be  arrayed  in  this  lovely  grace, 
the  brightest  ornament  of  the  Christian  character  ! 

We  talk  of  humility.  But  Oh  !  thou  bleeding  Lamb, 
what  is  the  humility  of  a  sinful  creature,  when  compared 
with  thine  ?  Thou,  who  humblest  thyself  to  behold  the 
things  that  are  in  heaven  and  earth,  didst  deign  in  in- 
finite condescension  to  leave  the  throne  of  thy  glory,  to 
lay  aside  the  robes  of  thy  majesty,  to  be  made  in  the 
likeness  of  men,  to  become  the  son  of  a  poor  virgin,  to 
be  made  of  no  reputation,  to  take  upon  thee  the  form  of 
a  servant  :  and  having  thus  humbled  thyself,  to  become 
obedient  unto  death,  even  the  death  of  the  cross  ! 

And  why  didst  thou  thus  humble  thyself  with  a  hu- 


404  HUMILITY. 

mility  surpassing  all  conception  1  It  was,  that  thy 
humility  might  atone  for  my  pride ;  and,  by  this  thy 
infinite  abasement,  exalt  a  proud,  rebellious,  hell-deserv- 
ing creature  to  a  participation  of  thy  felicity,  and  to  a 
place  near  thy  throne  ! 

Enter  into  thyself,  Oh  my  soul,  and  earnestly  entreat 
the  quickening  Spirit  of  thy  Lord  to  search  and  try  thee. 
Canst  thou  dare  be  proud,  whilst  viewing  the  deep 
humiliation  of  the  Son  of  God  1  Where  wouldst  thou 
have  been,  if  Jesus  had  not  died  1  And  where  wilt  thou 
be,  if,  through  pride,  thou  rejectest  this  great  salvation  1 

Art  thou  willing  to  be  nothing  in  thy  own  estimation; 
yea,  less  than  nothing  in  the  sight  of  infinite  perfection] 

Canst  thou  renounce  thy  own  fancied  righteousness, 
as  filthy  rags  1 

Dost  thou  throw  thyself  with  absolute  entireness  upon 
the  infinite  mercies  of  a  crucified  Saviour  1 

Canst  thou  delight  in  the  praise  and  prosperity  of 
others,  even  when,  through  their  superior  lustre,  thou 
art  cast  into  the  shade  ] 

Dost  thou  feel  no  envious  risings  when  others  are 
made  much  of  in  thy  presence,  and  thyself  studiously 
overlooked  ] 

Are  there  no  workings  of  mortified  pride  within,  when 
the  conversation  of  others  is  anxiously  listened  to,  and 
thine  altogether  disregarded  ? 

Is  the  glory  of  God  the  only  object  of  thy  wishes  1 
and  the  good  of  souls  thy  only  desire  1 

Art  thou  willing  to  be  esteemed  a  fool  for  Christ's 
sake  ;  and  glad  to  lose  the  present  good-will  of  thy 
friends,  so  that  thou  mayest  win  Christ,  and  be  found 
in  him  1 

If  it  be  thy  heart-felt  prayer  to  be  delivered  from  pride, 
and,  like  thy  lowly  Saviour,  to  be  clothed  with  humili- 
ty ;  then  thy  graces  are  the  graces  of  the  Spirit ;  thy 


HUMILITY".  405 

conversion  is  sound  ;  thy  state  is  safe  ;  and  thy  eternal 
habitation  shall  be  with  the  once  abased,  but  now  exalted 
Jesus. 

Cultivate,  Oh  my  soul,  this  lovely  grace  of  humility. 
Bless  God  sincerely  for  every  occasion  which  tends  to 
mortify  thy  pride,  and  crucify  thy  vain-glory.  Be  not 
angry  with  those  who  slight  thee  ;  who  treat  thee  with 
contempt  and  scorn.  Rather  receive  it  as  a  "  needs  be ;" 
as  a  corrosive  to  eat  out  thy  overweening  love  of  self;  as 
one  of  those  things  which  form  a  touchstone  to  try  thy 
inward  state,  and  which,  through  the  power  of  the  Spirit, 
shall  be  overruled  for  the  advancement  of  thy  spiritual 
good. 

Be  thankful  for  reproof,  whether  conveyed  with  the 
smoothness  of  Christian  meekness,  or  the  keenness  of 
satirical  asperity.  Remember  that  God's  people  ar^  a 
tried  people;  that  all  who  will  live  godly  in  Christ  Jesus 
shall  suffer  persecution  ;  that  they  who  are  not  of  the 
world,  must  expect  the  world's  hatred.  Let  no  con- 
tempt or  suffering  be  allowed  to  abate  thy  fervor,  or 
slacken  thy  speed  ;  since  the  trial  of  thy  faith  is  much 
more  precious  than  of  gold  that  perisheth,  though  it  be 
tried  with  fire  ;  and  shall  ere  long  be  found  unto  praise 
and  honor  and  glory  at  the  appearing  of  Jesus  Christ. 

What  rich  promises  are  made  in  the  Gospel  to  humble 
souls  !  Jesus  pronounced  his  first  blessing  on  the  poor 
in  spirit.  The  Lord  giveth  grace  unto  the  humble.  He 
filleth  the  hungry  with  good  things.  He  condescends 
to  dwell  in  the  lowly  heart.  He  beautifies  the  meek 
with  salvation. 

The  scriptures  abound  with  beautiful  descriptions  of 
the  privileges  and  blessings  which  are  the  portion  of 
every  humble  believer  in  Jesus.  All  who  are  truly 
convinced  of  sin  by  the  powerful  application  of  the  law 
to  their  consciences  :   all  who  are  led   to  see  their  awful 


406  HUMILITY. 

state  by  nature,  and  to  feel  their  need  of  Jesus  as  their 
only  Saviour  :  all  who  are  enabled  by  the  Spirit  of  truth 
to  apprehend  Christ  by  faith  in  all  his  offices  and  cove- 
nant relations,  are  clothed  with  humility. 

Weaned  from  self-righteous  dependancies,  they  trust 
in  Christ  alone  for  pardon  and  acceptance;  and  find  rest 
unto  their  souls.  Receiving  a  new  taste  and  a  spiritual 
appetite,  they  live  upon  Christ  by  faith,  and  derive  daily 
strength  and  comfort  from  him.  The  love  of  Christ 
constrains  them  to  obedience ;  and  the  language  of 
their  heart  is  :  "  whom  have  we  in  heaven  but  thee, 
and  there  is  none  upon  earth  we  desire  beside  thee." 

To  these  humble  souls  the  promises  belong.  They 
are  the  very  members  of  Christ's  mystical  body  ;  and  it 
is  their  Father's  good  pleasure  to  give  them  the  king- 
dom. The  world  frowns  upon  them,  bat  God  shines  into 
their  hearts.  The  carnal  mind  hates  them,  but  Jesus 
loves  them  with  an  everlasting  love.  The  devil  sets 
himself  in  battle  array  against  them  :  but  the  Holy 
Spirit  lifts  up  a  standard  against  him,  and  compasses 
them  about  as  with  a  shield.  Though  weak  in  them- 
selves, they  are  strong  in  the  Lord  ;  though  unable  of 
themselves  to  overcome  the  least  temptation,  they  be- 
come, through  Christ,  even  more  than  conquerors. 

Oh  !  thou  Spirit  of  holiness,  without  whom  nothing 
is  strong,  nothing  is  holy^  open  my  blind  eyes  to  see  the 
wonders  of  thy  grace.  Quicken  my  dead  soul  to  feel  its 
sacred  influence.  Make  me  truly  humble  in  heart, 
emptied  of  every  self-exalting  thought,  which  would 
oppose  the  freeness  of  thy  love.  Mould  my  whole  soul 
into  the  lowliness  and  meekness  of  Jesus.  Preserve  me 
from  the  subtle  influence  of  pride  and  vain-glory.  Keep 
me  ever  low  in  my  own  eyes.  Root  out  every  sinful, 
selfish  principle  ;  and  give  me  a  single  eye  which  aims 
at  nothing  but  thy  glory. 


MEEKNESS.  407 

Shed  abroad  thy  love  in  my  heart ;  then  will  my  un- 
derstanding, will,  and  affections  be  light  in  the  Lord, 
and  each  unite  their  powers  in  loving  and  obeying  thee. 

Oh  thou  dear,  anointed  Jesus, 

All  my  hopes  are  fixed  on  thee ; 
In  thy  tender,  sweet  compassion, 

Cast  a  smile  of  love  on  me. 

Come  in  all  thy  full  salvation, 

Deign  within  my  heart  to  dwell ; 
Then,  with  all  thy  ransom'd  people, 

Of  unbounded  love  I'll  tell. 

Fill  my  soul  with  heavenly  graces, 

Gently  falling  from  above ; 
Meekness,  patience,  pure  affection, 

Sweet  humility  and  love. 

Come,  thou  blest  anointed  Saviour, 

To  thy  earthly  temple  come; 
Till  the  hour  of  death  remove  me 

To  my  everlasting  home. 


LXVII. ON    MEEKNESS. 

The  apostle  Peter  exhorts  us  to  put  on  "  the  ornament 
of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit,  which  is  in  the  sight  of  God 
of  great  price." 

May  I  ever  prize  what  Infinite  Excellence  esteems  so 
precious !  And  yet,  alas  !  how  soon  do  we  disfigure  this 
holy  ornament,  when  any  little  thing  crosses  our  tem- 
per. This  is  highly  sinful.  We  should  not  so  readily 
cast  away  a  diamond,  because  of  some  trifling  opposition 
to  our  will. 

Oh  !  may  I  learn  wisdom  in  the  school  of  Christ,  and 
seek  for  more  grace  from  that  Saviour,  who  has  so  kindly 


403  MKEKNfcSS. 

said,  "  Ask,  and  it  shall  be  given  you  ;  seek,  and  ye 
shall  find." 

The  greatest  part  of  our  unhappiness  in  life  arises,  not 
so  much  from  cross  providences,  as  from  cross  tempers. 
The  former  only  happen  occasionally,  to  try  our  faith ; 
while  in  some  families  the  latter  occur  daily,  to  try  our 
patience.  Now,  in  proportion  as  we  become  truly  Chris- 
tians, in  that  proportion  we  shall  resist  and  overcome 
these  wasps  which  nestle  in  our  bosom.  He  who  tor- 
ments others,  torments  himself;  whilst  he  who  labors 
to  promote  the  happiness  of  his  fellow-creatures,  very 
greatly  augments  his  own. 

We  see,  then,  how  beautiful  is  the  religion  of  Jesus, 
which  is  all  love,  and  peace,  and  goodness.  Wherever 
its  influence  is  felt,  there  a  little  heaven  is  enjoyed. 
Where  it  is  unknown,  there  darkness  and  discord  reign. 

The  world,  proud  and  turbulent,  despises  this  heavenly 
ornament,  this  workmanship  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  May  I 
have  grace  to  esteem  it  above  all  those  splendid  or- 
naments, which  dazzle  and  attract  the  admiration  of 
mankind. 

"  Learn  of  me,  for  I  am  meek  and  lowly  in  heart,"  was 
the  condescending  exhortation :  "  and  ye  shall  find  rest 
unto  your  souls,"  was  the  gracious  promise  of  the  heaven- 
ly Saviour. 

Rich  blessings  are,  indeed,  promised  to  the  meek. 
"  The  meek  shall  inherit  the  earth."  "  The  meek  shall 
have  abundance  of  peace."  "  The  meek  will  he  guide 
in  judgment ;  the  meek  will  he  teach  his  way."  "  The 
Lord  will  beautify  the  meek  with  salvation." 

To  possess  this  sweet  ornament  of  a  meek  and  quiet 
spirit,  I  must  be  clothed  with  humility  ;  for  humility  and 
meekness  are  inseparable.  No  mere  nominal  professor 
of  Christianity  ever  possessed  this  celestial  ornament. 

The  world  endeavors  to  counterfeit  this  lovely  spirit 


MEEKNESS.  409 

by  what  is  termed  politeness  ;  a  kind  of  spurious  meek- 
ness and  humility.  When  slights  or  insults  arise,  this 
worldly  gem  soon  discovers  its  worthless  composition  ; 
whilst  the  Gospel  jewel  brightens  by  attrition. 

Meekness,  humility,  love,  and  purity,  form  the  Chris- 
tian character.  These  graces,  growing  out  of  a  true  faith 
in  Jesus,  evidence  a  vital  union  to  him,  from  whom  every 
blessing  is  derived. 

As  ill-shapen  persons  give  no  just  idea  of  the  beauti- 
ful symmetry  of  the  human  frame  ;  so  there  are  some 
professors  of  the  Gospel,  who  have  their  minds  so  twisted 
by  prejudice,  and  their  wills  made  so  crooked  by  obsti- 
nacy, that  they  exhibit  a  mere  distortion  of  Christianity. 
Such  persons  sometimes  hold  high  doctrines,  and  talk 
much  about  election  and  final  perseverance.  They  re- 
gard the  humble,  circumspect  believer,  as  living  below 
his  privileges  ;  and  condemn  his  holy  walk  as  legal,  and 
beneath  the  liberty  of  the  Gospel.  Sin,  they  say,  can- 
not hurt  them  f  for  they  are  not  under  the  law,  but  under 
grace.  They  scruple  not  to  charge  their  neighbors  with 
hypocrisy ;  whilst  they  never,  for  one  moment,  suspect 
themselves. 

What  an  awful  perversion  is  this,  of  the  beautiful  re- 
ligion of  Jesus  !  How  ill-shapen,  how  unlike  the  new 
creature  in  Christ  Jesus  !  In  these  unhappy  persons,  we 
behold  no  ornament  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit,  no  gar- 
ment of  humility.  They  love  to  live  in  the  storm,  either 
of  controversy  or  contradiction.  Every  word  is  miscon- 
strued ;  every  action  is  ascribed  to  some  improper  motive. 
Pride  and  uncharitableness  mark  their  character.  Others 
cannot  please  them ;  because  their  bosoms  being  the  seat 
of  conflicting  passions,  they  cannot  please  themselves. 
Devoid  of  the  mind  which  was  in  Christ,  they  resemble 
the  ground  which  the  Lord  hath  cursed  ;  yielding  thorns 

and  briars. 

35 


410  MEEKNESS. 

But  how  lovely  does  the  image  of  the  Saviour  appear, 
when  reflected  by  the  spirit  and  conduct  of  the  true  be- 
liever. It  resembles  the  sun  shining  with  unbroken 
lustre  on  the  peaceful  lake  ;  whilst  the  wicked  are  like 
the  troubled  sea,  which  cannot  rest,  whose  waters  cast 
up  mire  and  dirt. 

These  angry,  contentious,  loud-sounding,  presumptu- 
ous professors  are  spots  and  wens  in  the  visible  church ; 
stumbling-blocks  to  weaker  brethren,  and  scandals  to 
the  world. 

Lord,  preserve  me  from  this  awful  state.  Let  me  ever 
hold  the  truth  in  righteousness.  Oh  that  I  may  ever 
dread  that  presumptuous  spirit,  which  would  seize  on  the 
sacred  fruits  of  the  tree  of  life,  without  one  Gospel  war- 
rant so  to  do  ;  which  would  dare,  with  sacrilegious  hand, 
to  divide  the  precept  from  the  promise ;  and,  under  the 
impious  idea  of  exalting  free  grace,  sin,  that  grace  may 
abound. 

Lord,  give  me  a  holy  fear  of  falling  into  sin ;  a  jealousy 
over  my  own  deceitful  heart ;  a  cleaving  unto  thee  ;  a 
delight  in  keeping  thy  commandments.  Enable  me  to 
walk  circumspectly  and  warily  along  the  slippery  path 
of  life  ;  to  watch  and  pray  always  ;  to  guard  against  the 
first  approaches  to  temptation,  and  every  incitement 
from  my  spiritual  adversary  to  transgress  thy  law.  Put 
on  me  the  lovely  ornament  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit. 
Let  all  anger,  bitterness,  and  evil-speaking,  be  put  away 
from  me,  with  all  malice.  Let  love  reign  in  my  heart, 
and  purity  adorn  my  soul.  Oh  blessed  Jesus,  cover  me 
with  thy  spotless  robe  of  righteousness,  and  make  me  all 
glorious  within,  through  the  renewing  influence  of  thy 
grace.  Let  me  never  forget  whose  I  am,  and  whom  I 
serve.  Cause  me  to  bear  thy  cross  with  holy  rejoicing;  till, 
in  thy  kingdom  of  glory,  the  cross  shall  be  exchanged  for 
the  crown,  and  sorrow  be  swallowed  up  in  everlasting  joy. 


PURITT.  411 


Father  of  mercies,  God  of  love, 

To  thee  my  wishes  all  aspire  ; 
Descend,  blest  Spirit,  from  above, 

And  guard  and  feed  the  sacred  fire. 

Preserve  me  from  those  thousand  snares, 
Which  Satan  weaves  around  my  path ; 

On  thee  I  cast  my  hourly  cares  ; 
On  thee  I  look  in  humble  faith. 

Behold  me  at  the  bleeding  cross ; 

Wash  out,  dear  Lord,  each  guilty  stain ; 
Oh  may  I  count  the  world  but  loss — 

Thy  love,  my  great,  my  richest  gain. 

In  mercy  help  a  feeble  worm, 

Whose  strength  is  all  derived  from  Theej 
Thou  canst  appease  the  wildest  storm ; 

And  thou  canst  set  the  captive  free. 

In  cheerful  hope  my  soul  relies, 
Blest  Saviour,  on  thy  dying  love, 

Until  I  reach  the  blissful  skies, 
And  strike  the  golden  harp  above. 


LXVIII. ON    PURITY. 

"  Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart,  for  they  shall  see 
God." 

What  a  wonderful  change  must  pass  upon  a  soul  born 
in  sin,  before  it  can  become  pure.  Wherever  this  change 
takes  place,  we  must  exclaim,  "  what  hath  God  wrought !" 

It  is  the  work  of  Omnipotence  thus  to  new-create  the 
soul,  and  to  transform  the  sinner  into  a  pure  and  holy 
being.  But  great  and  radical  as  this  work  is,  there  still 
remain  the  seeds  of  corruption,  which  would  be  contin- 
ually budding  in  the  heart,  and  bringing  forth  fruit  unto 
death,  were  it  not  for  the  constant  operation  of  divine 
grace,  checking  the  growth  of  inbred  sin. 


412  PURITY. 

Though  unlike  Adam,  when  in  a  state  of  innocence, 
and  unlike  the  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect  in  hea- 
ven ;  yet,  if  true  believers  in  Jesus,  we  are  quite  different 
from  what  we  once  were,  and  different  from  the  carnal 
world  around  us.  Old  things  have  passed  away  ;  and 
behold,  all  things  are  become  new. 

We  have,  it  is  true,  much  to  root  out  and  destroy,  so 
long  as  the  law  in  the  members  wars  against  the  law  of 
the  mind  ;  yet,  whilst  journeying  to  the  land  of  promise, 
we  are  favored  with  many,  delightful  foretastes,  and 
many  cheering  views  of  the  celestial  Canaan,  to  ani- 
mate us  to  persevere. 

Gospel  holiness  is  therefore  a  progressive  work.  Like 
the  process  of  vegetation,  there  is  first  the  blade,  then  the 
ear,  and  then  the  full  corn  in  the  ear.  From  the  first 
Avorkings  of  grace,  to  its  full  consummation  in  glory, 
there  is  a  gradual  advancement  towards  perfection.  We 
read  of  little  children,  of  young  men,  and  of  fathers  in 
Christ ;  and  are  commanded  to  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the 
knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

But  as  we  are  equally  exhorted  to  crucify  the  flesh, 
and  to  mortify  our  members  which  are  on  the  earth,  we 
learn  that  the  old  man  is  not  yet  dead,  but  dying ;  in  a 
state  of  crucifixion,  dying  daily. 

Those  who  are  best  acquainted  with  their  own  hearts, 
and  with  human  nature  in  general,  being  taught  by  the 
Spirit  of  God,  according  to  the  revealed  truth  of  his  holy 
word,  know  from  painful  experience  that  sin  is  still  in 
them.  They  hate  it,  and  fight  against  it ;  and  in  this 
hatred  of  sin,  and  warring  against  it,  consists,  in  no  small 
degree,  that  purity  of  heart  which  our  Lord  pronounces 
"blessed." 

We  cannot  truly  hate  sin  as  being  an  offence  to  God, 
and  resist  it  with  the  whole  bent  of  our  will,  till  we  are 
born  from  above. 


PURITY.  413 

We  must  love  God  as  an  infinitely  holy  and  gracioua 
Being,  before  sin  can  be  so  hated,  as  to  be  uniformly  and 
strenuously  opposed. 

Therefore,  though  we  cannot  say,  "  I  am  pure  from 
sin,"  under  a  consciousness  of  so  much  remaining  cor- 
ruption :  yet,  if  conscience  bears  its  inward  testimony  to 
our  irreconcilable  hatred  of  sin  ;  if  we  groan  under  its 
burden,  and  resist  its  workings  ;  we  ought  to  take  en- 
couragement, and  go  on  seeking  strength  from  above, 
being  assured  that  he  who  hath  begun  the  good  work, 
will  perform  it  until  the  day  of  Jesus  Christ. 

No  unconverted  man,  by  any  mere  natural  power  of 
his  own,  ever  yet  hated  and  opposed  sin  as  an  evil  di- 
rected against  the  majesty,  holiness,  and  goodness  of 
God.  As  soon  might  water  run  up  a  steep  ascent,  con- 
trary to  experience  and  the  laws  of  nature. 

If,  then,  I  would  bear  the  image  of  Christ  in  glory,  I 
must  bear  his  image  now  in  holiness,  through  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Oh  how  happy  is  that  soul  which  is  renewed  in  right- 
eousness !  Jesus  dwelling  in  the  heart  by  faith,  is  hea- 
ven begun.  A  holy  light  then  irradiates  the  mind  ;  a 
sweet  glow  of  sacred  love  warms  the  affections ;  and  all 
the  powers  of  the  soul  are  made  willing  to  glorify  him  who 
is  the  chief  among  ten  thousand,  the  altogether  lovely  ! 

Oh  that  I  could  feel  my  heart  always  alive  to  God  ! 
Man  was  originally  made  to  glorify  God.  If,  then,  I  do 
not  live  to  his  glory,  I  am  not  answering  the  great  end 
of  my  being. 

Here  lies  my  guilt :  that  my  heart,  through  the  fall,  is 
naturally  averse  from  every  thing  that  has  God  for  its 
object.  I  am  prone  to  sin — prone  to  earth— prone  to 
depart  from  God.  Hence  my  condemnation  is  just ; 
and  hill  would  be  my  deserved  portion  through  a  count- 
less eternity. 

35* 


411  PURITY. 

But  how  can  I  express  the  inconceivable  love  of  God, 

in  giving  his  only  begotten  Son  for  such  a  rebel ;  such 

an  apostate  creature  !     Oh  that  I  could  feel  my  whole 

eoul  burning  in  one  constant  flame  of  holy  love  for  such 

mazing  grace  ! 

How  beautiful  is  true  religion.  It  commends  itself 
to  every  man's  conscience,  notwithstanding  the  natural 
enmity  of  the  heart  against  it. 

There  is  something  so  amiable  in  Christian  graces,  so 
winning  in  the  simple  movements  of  Christian  love, 
that  even  the  bitterest  enemies  of  the  Gospel  are  com- 
pelled in  their  reflecting  moments  to  acknowledge  its 
intrinsic  excellence.  We  have  abundant  evidence  of 
this  from  the  page  of  history,  when  Christians  lived  and 
acted  under  the  high  principles  of  their  holy  religion. 

The  reason  why  so  little  good  is  done  by  professing 
Christians,  may  be  owing  to  their  own  defect  of  character; 
to  the  want  of  that  purity  of  heart,  from  whence  all  out- 
ward holiness  proceeds. 

When  we  read  the  Acts  of  the  apostles,  and  the  Epis- 
tles which  they  wrote  to  the  several  churches,  we  cannot 
but  be  struck  with  the  spirituality  of  mind,  the  purity  of 
heart,  the  simplicity  of  spirit,  the  contempt  of  the  world, 
the  patience  under  suffering,  the  love  of  the  brethren, 
the  dependance  on  the  Saviour,  which  appeared  so  con- 
spicuous in  the  primitive  believers,  and  which  caused 
them  to  shine  as  lights  in  the  world.  All  who  beheld 
them  were  constrained  to  confess  that  they  were  not  as 
other  men.  They  saw  the  change,  and  persecuted  them 
for  it.  But  now,  the  shades  of  difference  between  many 
professors  of  Christianity  and  the  men  of  the  world,  are 
so  faint,  that  it  often  becomes  difficult  to  discover  the 
line  of  separation. 

Inward  purity,  and  outward  sanctity,  are  the  only  true 
marks  of  God's  children,  however  rarely  these  marks  are 


PURITV.  415 

to  be  found.  Jesus  gave  himself  for  us,  that  he  might 
redeem  us  from  all  iniquity,  and  purify  unto  himself  a 
peculiar  people  zealous  of  good  works. 

Without  holiness,  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord  ;  but 
every  one  who  is  pure  in  heart  shall  see  God,  and  be- 
come an  heir  of  God.  Amazing  inheritance  !  what 
mind  can  conceive  the  vastness  of  this  eternal  blessed- 
ness— an  heir  of  God  through  Christ  ! 

The  man  that  is  pure  in  heart,  shall  inherit  that  glo- 
rious God  as  his  portion,  in  whom  he  lives,  and  moves, 
and  has  his  being ;  and  by  whose  almighty  power  all 
things  consist.  He  shall  inherit  him  who  fills  heaven 
and  earth  with  his  presence,  who  is  the  fountain  of  feli- 
city, and  at  whose  right  hand  are  pleasures  for  evermore. 

Oh  my  soul  !  thou  canst  never  thirst  enough  after 
this  exalted  privilege.  What  are  earthly  kingdoms, 
crowns,  and  sceptres,  when  compared  with  such  a  por- 
tion. Rejoice  evermore,  while  this  promise  stands  re- 
corded in  the  page  of  truth. 

Lord,  perform  thy  whole  work  of  mercy  in  my  heart. 
Let  me  never  rest  satisfied  with  any  present  attainment, 
but  continually  forgetting  those  things  which  are  be- 
hind, and  reaching  forth  unto  those  things  which  are 
before,  may  I  daity  press  towards  the  mark  for  the  prize 
of  the  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  till  I  see  thee 
as  thou  art,  and  love  thee  as  I  ought  in  thy  everlasting 
kingdom  and  glory. 

Make  me  simple  and  sincere, 
Keep,  Oh  Lord,  my  conscience  clear ; 
Lead  me  in  the  living  way : 
Bring  me  to  eternal  day. 

Oh !  preserve  my  soul  from  sin, 
Slay  each  rebel  lust  within ; 
Take  away  the  heart  of  stone, 
Make  me  thine — and  thine  alone. 


416  GODLY    FEAR. 

Jesus,  thou  art  all  my  trust ; 
When  consign'd  to  native  dust, 
Take,  Oh  take  my  soul  to  thee, 
And  where  thou  art — let  me  be. 

Let  me  rise  on  wings  sublime, 
Far  beyond  the  scenes  of  time ; 
Rise,  to  meet  my  God  and  King ; 
Rise,  thy  endless  praise  to  sing. 


LXIX. ON    GODLY    FEAR. 

Fear  is  a  most  powerful  passion  in  the  human  breast. 
Its  natural  effect  is  painful ;  hence  we  instinctively  fly 
from  every  thing  which  excites  its  agitating  influence. 

Our  minds  are  easily  wrought  upon  by  sensible  objects, 
or  imaginary  evils  ;  wThilst  those  which  are  remote  or 
unapprehended  give  us  little  concern. 

If  we  receive  the  alarm  of  some  approaching  danger, 
how  readily  do  we  magnify  the  dreaded  calamity  beyond 
its  real  extent.  Some  persons,  indeed,  are  so  bold  and 
daring,  that  they  seem  to  rise  above  the  influence  of 
every  fear,  and  to  face  danger  and  even  death  in  all  its 
forms,  with  a  coolness  and  intrepidity  which  are  truly 
astonishing.  Yet,  in  general,  this  natural  passion  ope- 
rates in  almost  every  case  of  serious  apprehension  but 
one,  which  of  all  others  should  awaken  its  sensibility. 

We  can  fear  almost  any  thing  more  than  the  wrath 
of  God  ;  and  any  event  more  than  approaching  death 
and  judgment.     Strange  infatuation  and  obduracy  ! 

An  unregenerate  man  will  sit  unmoved  and  unawed 
under  the  most  awful  displays  of  divine  vengeance  as 
exhibited  in  the  preached  word  ;  whilst  a  slight  shock 
of  an  earthquake,  or  the  falling  of  a  steeple,  would 


GODLY    FEAR.  417 

cause  hiir.  to  start  from  his  seat,  and  fly  with  fearful 
steps  to  some  place  of  safety.  Unbelief  lies  at  the  bot- 
tom of  our  indifference  to  eternal  things  ;  and  is  the 
true  cause  of  that  stupid  unconcern,  that  fearless  state 
of  heart,  which  we  manifest  towards  the  infinitely  im 
portant  realities  of  a  future  world. 

There  are,  indeed,  checks  of  natural  conscience ;  but 
these  are  transient  and  seldom  felt,  except  when  our 
misconduct  has  sensibly  affected  our  worldly  prospects, 
our  health,  our  reputation,  or  something  of  an  earthly 
nature. 

The  immediate  apprehension  of  death  and  judgment 
may  appal  the  sinner,  and  awaken  all  his  solicitudes. 

Like  Felix,  the  proud  worldling  sometimes  feels  an 
involuntary  tremor,  an  inward  misgiving  of  heart :  but, 
like  him,  he  labors  to  overcome  the  painful  sensation,  by 
removing,  if  possible,  the  cause  of  his  uneasiness  :  "  go 
thy  way  for  this  time  ;  when  I  have  a  convenient  season, 
I  will  call  for  thee."  Thus  he  goes  on  till  death  strikes 
the  blow,  and  hurries  him  into  the  abyss  of  endless 
horrors.  Lord,  deliver  me  from  this  most  awful  state. 
How  distressing  that  my  foolish  heart  should  be  so  little 
affected  by  those  rich  displays  of  divine  grace,  and  those 
tremendous  exhibitions  of  divine  wrath,  which  are  re- 
vealed in  the  word  of  God. 

Blessed  Lord  !  give  me  a  stronger  faith,  that  I  may 
continually  realize  to  my  mind  those  great  things  which 
thou  hast  done,  and  still  promisest  to  do,  for  thy  be- 
lieving people  ;  and  more  solemn  fear  of  those  awful 
threatenings  which  thou  hast  denounced  against  thine 
enemies. 

There  is  a  fear,  of  which  excellent  things  are  spoken, 
and  to  which  many  precious  promises  are  made. 

This  holy  fruit  of  the  Spirit  is  peculiar  to  the  children 
of  God.     It  is  one  of  the  blessings  of  the  new  covenant. 


418  GODLY    FEAR. 

(Jer.  xxxii,  49.)  It  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom.  (Ps.  iii, 
10.)  It  tendeth  to  life.  (Prov.  xix,  23.)  In  the  fear  of 
the  Lord  is  strong  confidence.  (Prov.  xiv,  26.)  "  Happy, 
then,  is  the  man  who  feareth  alway ;"  who  is  in  "  the 
fear  of  the  Lord  all  the  day  long." 

"  The  Lord's  delight  is  in  them  that  fear  him."  He 
hath  promised  to  look  with  peculiar  favor  to  him  who 
trembleth  at  his  word. 

This  heavenly  grace  is  quite  different  from  that 
slavish  fear  which  tendeth  to  bondage. 

The  fear  which  grace  implants  in  the  heart,  har- 
monizes with  love  and  joy.  The  first  Christians,  on 
whom  the  Spirit  was  poured  in  such  rich  effusion,  walked 
in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  and  in  the  comfort  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.  To  such  renewed  souls  the  apostolic  command 
is,  "sanctify  the  Lord  God  in  your  hearts,  and  let  him 
be  your  fear,  and  let  him  be  your  dread."  The  admoni- 
tion of  the  Saviour  is  most  impressive  :  "  I  will  forewarn 
you  whom  ye  shall  fear :  fear  him,  which,  after  he  hath 
killed,  hath  power  to  cast  into  hell ;  yea,  I  say  unto  you, 
fear  him."  The  Scriptures  abound  with  exhortations 
to  this  duty.  The  most  solemn  appeals  are  there  made 
to  the  heart  and  conscience  ;  whilst  promises  of  the  most 
delightful  nature  are  given  to  those  who  walk  humbly 
with  their  God. 

It  is  characteristic  of  the  wicked,  that  "  there  is  no 
fear  of  God  before  his  eyes."  If,  then,  I  would  form  a 
part  of  the  assembly  of  the  saints,  I  must  daily  seek  by 
fervent  prayer  a  reverential  fear  of  God. 

"  Let  us  have  grace  (says  the  apostle)  whereby  we 
may  serve  God  acceptably,  with  reverence  and  godly 
fear,  for  our  God  is  a  consuming  fire." 

St.  John  saw  a  multitude  of  the  heavenly  host,  "hav- 
ing the  harps  of  God  ;  and  they  sang  the  song  of  Moses 
the  servant  of  God,  and  the  song  of  the  Lamb,  saying : 


GODLY    FEAR.  419 

Great  and  marvellous  are  thy  works,  Lord  God  Almighty ; 
just  and  true  are  thy  ways,  thou  king  of  saints.  Who 
shall  not  fear  thee,  Oh  Lord,  and  glorify  thy  name  %  for 
thou  art  holy ;  for  all  nations  shall  come  and  worship 
before  thee." 

I  must  cultivate  a  cautionary  fear. 

"Let  us  fear,"  saith  St.  Paul,  "lest  a  promise  being 
left  us  of  entering  into  his  rest,  any  of  you  should  seem 
to  come  short  of  it." 

"  Let  him  that  thinketh  he  standeth,  take  heed  lest 
he  fall."     "  Be  not  high-minded,  but  fear." 

I  must  possess  a  filial  fear,  which,  combined  with  love 
and  obedience,  forms  that  spirit  of  adoption,  which  is  the 
sweetest  evidence  of  admission  into  the  family  of  God. 
For  perfect  love,  while  it  casteth  out  that  servile  fear 
which  hath  torment,  cherisheth  a  holy  fear  of  grieving 
the  Spirit,  wounding  the  Saviour,  and  displeasing  the 
Father  of  mercies. 

Oh  blessed  Lord,  give  me  this  holy  preservative 
against  falling  into  sin ;  that,  fearing  thee  from  a  prin- 
ciple of  filial,  reverential  love,  I  may  go  on  steadily  in 
the  narrow  way  of  faith  and  holiness,  till  I  reach  with 
joy  and  gladness  the  holy  hill  of  Zion. 

How  happy  is  the  humble  soul, 

Who  lives  in  holy  fear ; 
While  troubles  in  succession  roll, 

He  feels  the  Saviour  near. 

While  others  climb  the  dang'rous  steep, 

And  build  their  Babels  high  ; 
He  loves  that  lowly  path  to  keep, 

Which  leads  him  to  the  sky. 

Content  with  all  his  God  bestows, 

He  wants  nor  wealth  nor  power ; 
Perpetual  blessing  round  him  flows, 

Increasing  ev'ry  hour. 


420  believer's  aim  and  hope. 

Rich  with  the  riches  of  his  grace 
Who  saved  him  by  his  blood  ; 

He  views  by  faith  the  Saviour's  face, 
And  knows  that  God  is  good. 

Through  life's  uneven  path  upheld, 
Preserv'd  from  ev'ry  ill ; 

He  views  at  length  the  heav'nly  field, 
And  reaches  Zion's  hill. 

Oh  may  I  thus  be  sweetly  blest, 
With  humble  souls  below  ; 

Then  enter  the  eternal  rest, 
Where  endless  pleasures  flow. 


LXX. ON    THE    BELIEVER'S    AIM    AND    HOPE. 

How  beautiful  and  glorious  is  the  plan  of  human  re- 
demption !  Angels  may  well  desire  to  look  into  it.  At 
the  birth  of  our  Emanuel,  they  declared  its  gracious 
design;  even  that  of  bringing  "glory  to  God  in  the 
highest ;  peace  on  earth,  and  good-will  towards  men." 

The  apostle  felt  the  happy  effect  of  this  salvation  in 
his  own  soul,  when  he  could  say,  "  To  me,  to  live,  is 
Christ ;  and  to  die,  is  gain." 

Jesus  is  the  eternal  spring  of  light,  life,  and  glory.  He 
made  all  things,  and  by  him  all  things  consist.  Dead 
souls  are  quickened  to  a  life  of  faith  and  holiness  by  his 
almighty  power  ;  and  through  him  they  are  preserved, 
in  the  midst  of  a  wicked  world,  unto  his  everlasting 
kingdom. 

Oh  my  soul,  is  Jesus  the  source  of  thy  spiritual  life  ? 
Am  I  looking  to  him,  and  living  upon  him  daily  by  faith? 
Have  I  learned  that  by  nature  I  am  dead  in  trespasses 
and  sins ;  that  of  myself  I  am  unable  to  do  any  thing 
♦hat  is  pleasing  unto  God ;  that  I  may  have  a  form  of 


421 

godliness,  and  a  name  to  live,  whilst  destitute  of  saving 
grace  1 

This  religious  complexion  of  my  character  may  arise 
from  education — the  force  of  example — or  a  self-right- 
eous principle.  But  this  is  not  spiritual  life.  With  every 
exterior  of  devotion,  I  may  be  spiritually  dead. 

Can  I  in  such  a  state  say  with  the  apostle,  "  To  me, 
to  live  is  Christ  ]"  Surely  not.  If  I  am  truly  quickened 
by  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  Christ  will  be  the  acknowledged 
source  of  my  life.  As  I  derive  all  my  powers  from  him, 
so  will  those  powers  be  devoted  to  his  glory.  I  shall 
love  him  with  a  supreme  affection. 

Blessed  Jesus  !  do  thou  graciously  communicate  thy 
saving  strength  to  my  soul.  Raise  me  from  a  death  in 
sin  to  a  life  of  righteousness.  Enlighten  my  dark  mind. 
Warm  my  cold  affections.  Melt  my  hard  heart.  Subdue 
my  stubborn  will ;  and  make  me  a  new  creature,  that  I 
may  walk  before  thee  in  newness  of  life. 

Jesus  is  the  great  example  to  his  people.  "  He  that  saith 
he  abideth  in  him,  ought  himself  so  to  walk,  even  as  he 
walked."  "  He  left  us  an  example,  that  we  should  fol- 
low his  steps."  "  As  ye  have  received  Christ  Jesus  the 
Lord,  so  walk  ye  in  him."  "  Let  that  mind  be  in  you, 
which  was  also  in  Christ  Jesus."  "  If  ye  love  me,  keep 
my  commandments."     "  Follow  thou  me." 

Oh  that  I  may  have  grace  to  set  the  Lord  always  be- 
fore me,  and  to  contemplate  the  meek  and  lowly  Saviour 
with  increasing  admiration,  till  my  soul  be  transformed 
into  his  likeness.  Whilst  treading  in  his  steps,  and  copy- 
ing his  example,  I  shall  enjoy  the  light  of  his  counte- 
nance, and  the  consolation  of  his  Spirit ;  for  the  precious 
promise  is,  "  if  a  man  love  me,  he  will  keep  my  words, 
and  my  Father  will  love  him,  and  we  will  come  unto 
him,  and  make  our  abode  with  him." 

The  great  end  and  aim  of  the  believer's  life,  is  to  promote 
36 


422 

the  glory  of  Jesus.  St.  Paul  declared  to  the  Philippians, 
that  the  one  object  of  all  his  labors  and  sufferings  was, 
that  Christ  might  be  magnified  in  his  body,  whether  it  be 
l>y  life  or  death.  And  then  he  adds,  "  for  to  me,  to  live 
is  Christ,  to  die  is  gain." 

Those  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity,  will 
be  anxious  to  glorify  him  with  their  bodies  and  their 
spirits,  which  are  his.  All  their  desire  will  be  to  him,  and 
the  glory  of  his  name.  Is  this  my  happy  experience  1  Am 
I  seeking  to  promote  the  interest  of  the  Redeemer's  king- 
dom 1  Do  I  esteem  every  enjoyment  joyless,  which  is 
not  sweetened  by  his  love  ;  and  every  effort  useless,  which 
is  not  connected  with  his  glory  ? 

If  Jesus  be  the  author  of  my  spiritual  life,  light,  and 
fruitfulness  ;  if  he  be  the  great  example,  ever  present  to 
my  mind ;  if  the  promotion  of  his  glory  be  the  one  aim 
of  my  united  powers  ;  then  may  I  say  with  the  apostle, 
"  To  me,  to  live  is  Christ." 

What  object  so  noble — what  end  so  glorious,  as  thus 
to  live  simply  and  entirely  to  him  who  is  Lord  of  lords, 
and  King  of  kings  !  Whilst  thus  living,  I  may  join  with 
St.  Paul  in  his  happy  experience,  and  say,  "  I  am  cruci- 
fied with  Christ  :  nevertheless  I  live  ;  yet  not  I,  but 
Christ  liveth  in  me  ;  and  the  life  which  I  now  live  in  the 
flesh,  I  live  by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God,  who  loved  me, 
and  gave  himself  for  me." 

Whilst  thus  living,  I  may  scripturally  take  the  full 
comfoit  of  his  joyful  expectation,  and  exclaim,  "  To  me, 
to  die  is  gain."  "  When  Christ,  who  is  our  life,  shall  ap- 
pear, then  shall  ye  also  appear  with  him  in  glory ;" 
for  he  hath  said,  "  Because  I  live,  ye  shall  live  also," 
"  Where  I  am,  there  ye  shall  be  also,"  "  Father,  I  will 
that  they  also,  whom  thou  hast  given  me,  be  with  me 
where  I  am  ;  that  they  may  behold  my  glory." 

Glorious  hope  !  blessed  expectation  ! 


believer's  aim  and  hope.  423 

Death  to  every  humble  believer  will  be  everlasting 
gain.  It  is  only  a  quick  transition  from  earth  to  heaven. 
To  be  absent  from  the  body,  is  to  be  present  with  the 
Lord.  No  wonder,  then,  that  the  apostle  longed  to  be 
dissolved,  that  he  might  be  with  Christ. 

How  happy  is  the  death  of  every  true  believer  in  Jesus  ! 
That  dreadful  sting,  which  gives  death  all  its  terror, 
was  extracted  by  the  Saviour,  when,  expiring  on  the 
cross,  he  exclaimed,  "  It  is  finished."  "  He  bare  our 
sins  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree."  "  Through  death,  he 
destroyed  him  that  hath  the  power  of  death,  that  is,  the 
devil." 

No  dire  forebodings — no  agonizing  fears  of  approach- 
ing dissolution,  rend  the  heart  of  the  humble  believer,  or 
accelerate  the  wasting  disease.  Hope  bears  up  the  heir 
of  glory  amidst  all  his  sufferings.  Faith  pierces  the  veil 
which  hides  the  heavenly  world  from  mortal  eyes  ;  whilst 
love  burns  brighter,  as  it  reaches  the  source  from  whence 
it  came. 

Oh  my  soul,  art  thou  prepared  to  die  ]  Hast  thou  fled 
for  refuge  to  lay  hold  on  the  hope  set  before  thee  in  the 
Gospel  1  Art  thou  washed  from  thy  sins  through  the 
blood  of  the  Lamb  1  Hast  thou  experienced  a  new  and 
divine  change  1  yea,  hast  thou  passed  from  darkness  unto 
light,  and  from  Satan  unto  God? 

Oh  blessed  Saviour,  perform  in  me  all  the  good  pleas- 
ure of  thy  goodness,  and  the  work  of  faith  with  power. 

Death  is  gain  to  the  believer,  because  it  will  increase 
his  knowledge  beyond  all  that  he  can  now  conceive. 
Here  we  see  as  through  a  glass,  darkly.  We  behold 
spiritual  objects  as  in  a  mirror,  through  the  medium  of 
natural  things ;  but  in  heaven,  we  shall  behold  the 
adorable  Saviour,  not  as  now  veiled  under  figures  and 
emblems,  but  face  to  face.  We  shall  see  him  as  he  is, 
and  be  made  like  him  in  the  beauty  of  holiness. 


422 

the  glory  of  Jesus.  St.  Paul  declared  to  the  Philippians, 
that  the  one  object  of  all  his  labors  and  sufferings  was, 
that  Christ  might  be  magnified  in  his  body,  whether  it  be 
by  life  or  death.  And  then  he  adds,  "  for  to  me,  to  live 
is  Christ,  to  die  is  gain." 

Those  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity,  will 
be  anxious  to  glorify  him  with  their  bodies  and  their 
spirits,  which  are  his.  All  their  desire  will  be  to  him,  and 
the  glory  of  his  name.  Is  this  my  happy  experience  1  Am 
I  seeking  to  promote  the  interest  of  the  Redeemer's  king- 
dom 1  Do  I  esteem  every  enjoyment  joyless,  which  is 
not  sweetened  by  his  love  ;  and  every  effort  useless,  which 
is  not  connected  with  his  glory  ? 

If  Jesus  be  the  author  of  my  spiritual  life,  light,  and 
fruitfulness  ;  if  he  be  the  great  example,  ever  present  to 
my  mind ;  if  the  promotion  of  his  glory  be  the  one  aim 
of  my  united  powers  ;  then  may  I  say  with  the  apostle, 
"  To  me,  to  live  is  Christ." 

What  object  so  noble — what  end  so  glorious,  as  thus 
to  live  simply  and  entirely  to  him  who  is  Lord  of  lords, 
and  King  of  kings  !  Whilst  thus  living,  I  may  join  with 
St.  Paul  in  his  happy  experience,  and  say,  "  I  am  cruci- 
fied with  Christ  :  nevertheless  I  live  ;  yet  not  I,  but 
Christ  liveth  in  me  ;  and  the  life  which  I  now  live  in  the 
flesh,  I  live  by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God,  who  loved  me, 
and  gave  himself  for  me." 

Whilst  thus  living,  I  may  scripturally  take  the  full 
comfoit  of  his  joyful  expectation,  and  exclaim,  "  To  me, 
to  die  is  gain."  "  When  Christ,  who  is  our  life,  shall  ap- 
pear, then  shall  ye  also  appear  with  him  in  glory ;" 
for  he  hath  said,  "  Because  I  live,  ye  shall  live  also," 
"  Where  I  am,  there  ye  shall  be  also,"  "  Father,  I  will 
that  they  also,  whom  thou  hast  given  me,  be  with  me 
where  I  am  ;  that  they  may  behold  my  glory." 

Glorious  hope  !  blessed  expectation  ! 


believer's  aim  and  hope.  423 

Death  to  every  humble  believer  will  be  everlasting" 
gain.  It  is  only  a  quick  transition  from  earth  to  heaven. 
To  be  absent  from  the  body,  is  to  be  present  with  the 
Lord.  No  wonder,  then,  that  the  apostle  longed  to  be 
dissolved,  that  he  might  be  with  Christ. 

How  happy  is  the  death  of  every  true  believer  in  Jesus  ! 
That  dreadful  sting,  which  gives  death  all  its  terror, 
was  extracted  by  the  Saviour,  when,  expiring  on  the 
cross,  he  exclaimed,  "  It  is  finished."  "  He  bare  our 
sins  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree."  "  Through  death,  he 
destroyed  him  that  hath  the  power  of  death,  that  is,  the 
devil." 

No  dire  forebodings — no  agonizing  fears  of  approach- 
ing dissolution,  rend  the  heart  of  the  humble  believer,  or 
accelerate  the  wasting  disease.  Hope  bears  up  the  heir 
of  glory  amidst  all  his  sufferings.  Faith  pierces  the  veil 
which  hides  the  heavenly  world  from  mortal  eyes  ;  whilst 
love  burns  brighter,  as  it  reaches  the  source  from  whence 
it  came. 

Oh  my  soul,  art  thou  prepared  to  die  ]  Hast  thou  fled 
for  refuge  to  lay  hold  on  the  hope  set  before  thee  in  the 
Gospel  1  Art  thou  washed  from  thy  sins  through  the 
blood  of  the  Lamb  ?  Hast  thou  experienced  a  new  and 
divine  change  ?  yea,  hast  thou  passed  from  darkness  unto 
light,  and  from  Satan  unto  God? 

Oh  blessed  Saviour,  perform  in  me  all  the  good  pleas- 
ure of  thy  goodness,  and  the  work  of  faith  with  power. 

Death  is  gain  to  the  believer,  because  it  will  increase 
his  knowledge  beyond  all  that  he  can  now  conceive. 
Here  we  see  as  through  a  glass,  darkly.  We  behold 
spiritual  objects  as  in  a  mirror,  through  the  medium  of 
natural  things ;  but  in  heaven,  we  shall  behold  the 
adorable  Saviour,  not  as  now  veiled  under  figures  and 
emblems,  but  face  to  face.  We  shall  see  him  as  he  is, 
and  be  made  like  him  in  the  beauty  of  holiness. 


424  believer's  aim  and  hope. 

Oh  what  a  vision  will  that  be  !  Who  can  describe 
the  glorified  person  of  our  Emanuel  %  Who  can  paint 
the  resplendent  Sun  of  righteousness,  whose  beams 
gladden  ard  illuminate  all  the  realms  above  1 

The  apostles  were  favored  with  a  glimpse  of  his 
glory  on  Mount  Tabor,  when  the  Saviour  shone  as  the 
sun,  and  when  his  raiment  was  white  as  the  light.  St. 
John  was  permitted  to  enjoy  a  rich  display  of  the  Re- 
deemer's glory,  when  an  exile  in  the  isle  of  Patmos. 
But  how  faintly  does  human  language  set  forth  the 
glories  of  that  Being,  from  whose  presence  the  heaven 
and  earth  shall  flee  away;  who  inhabiteth  eternity! 
If  all  created  glories  are  thrown  into  the  shade,  when 
Jesus  is  revealed  to  the  soul,  whilst  dwelling  in  a  house 
of  clay ;  how  will  they  be  lost  amid  those  radiant  perfec- 
tions which  shall  hereafter  be  revealed,  when  the  be- 
liever, admitted  into  the  Saviour's  presence,  shall  behold 
all  heaven  unveiled  to  his  sight ! 

Well  might  the  apostle  count  all  things  but  Loss,  for 
the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  his 
Lord. 

Oh  blessed  Spirit  of  wisdom  and  truth,  give  me  an 
increasing  knowledge  of  Jesus  and  the  glories  of  his 
kingdom.  Impart  unto  me  a  spiritual,  experimental 
knowledge  of  that  love  of  Christ,  which  passeth  know- 
ledge, that  I  may  be  filled  with  all  the  fulness  of  God. 

Death  will  be  gain  to  the  believer,  because  it  will  in- 
crease his  holiness.  Here,  we  have  to  contend  with  an 
evil  nature,  although  subdued  by  almighty  grace,  and 
changed  in  a  considerable  degree  through  the  power  of 
the  Holy  Ghost.  Yet  the  Canaanites  are  still  in  the 
land.  The  remainders  of  corruption  require  continual 
watchfulness  and  circumspection,  lest  they  increase  and 
regain  their  former  possession  of  the  heart.  Sin  still 
dwelling  in  the  believer,  causes  that  warfare,  which 


BELIEVER  S    AIM    AND    HOPE.  425 

must  never  cease  till  this  body  of  death  is  laid  in  the 
grave,  never  more  to  harass  the  disembodied  spirit  en- 
circled with  heavenly  glory. 

Oh  that  I  may  daily  hunger  and  thirst  after  right- 
eousness !  I  want  to  be  holy,  as  God  is  holy  ;  to  have 
my  will  swallowed  up  in  his.  I  feel  sin  daily  working 
within  me,  but  Oh,  may  I  hate  and  abhor  it.  May  I 
ever  feel  it  to  be  my  grief,  my  burden,  and  my  cross ; 
and  rejoice  at  every  victory  obtained  over  it  through  the 
blood  of  the  Lamb. 

How  unspeakably  blessed  must  heaven  be,  where  sin 
can  gain  no  admittance  ;  where  every  object  shall  ad- 
minister the  purest  felicity;  and  where  Jesus  himself 
will  be  the  eternal  source  of  joy  ! 

Death  must,  then,  indeed  be  gain  to  the  believer,  for 
it  shall  put  him  in  complete  possession  of  everlasting 
happiness. 

Here  we  groan,  being  burdened.  Here  we  live  in  an 
enemy's  country,  through  which  we  must  pass,  contend- 
ing every  inch  of  our  way  to  Zion.  Here  we  live  as  in 
a  great  hospital,  between  the  dying  and  the  dead.  Here 
we  are  surrounded  with  all  kinds  of  natural  and  moral 
evils  flowing  from  that  poisoned  source — the  fall  of  man. 
Here  we  must  drink  the  bitter  waters  of  Marah — made 
still  more  bitter  by  our  love  of  ease  ;  our  want  of  resig- 
nation to  the  will  of  God  ;  our  selfishness  of  spirit ;  our 
rebelliousness  of  heart  to  his  disposals. 

The  believer,  it  is  true,  experiences  daily  mercies 
which  compass  him  about ;  for  the  Lord  will  not  forsake 
his  inheritance  in  the  waste  howling  wilderness.  His 
supplies,  like  the  ancient  manna,  are  continually  falling 
around  his  tent.  He  has  light  in  his  dwelling,  and  can, 
therefore,  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  and  joy  in  the  God  of  his 
salvation.  He  glories  in  tribulation  for  Christ's  sake  ; 
and,  like  the  martyr  of  old,  can  kiss  the  fagot,  which,  as 

36* 


428  believer's  aim  and  hope. 

another  chariot  of  fire,  is  appointed  to  convey  his  soul  to 
heaven.  But  still  his  happiness  is  greatly  interrupted 
through  the  remainder  of  indwelling  sin,  the  wickedness 
of  mankind,  and  the  malice  of  Satan.  He,  therefore, 
looks  forward  with  joyful  expectation  to  that  glorious 
period,  when  his  happy  spirit  will  take  its  station  near 
the  throne  of  his  beloved  Saviour  ;  and  rejoices  in  hope 
of  the  glory  of  God. 

How  passing  strange,  that  dying,  sinful  worms  of  the 
earth,  should  ridicule  and  despise  such  a  hope  and  end  as 
this! 

Oh  almighty  Spirit !  descend  into  my  soul.  Banish 
every  thing  which  is  contrary  to  thy  holy  nature,  and 
obstructive  to  my  spiritual  progress  towards  the  realms 
of  bliss.  Fill  me  with  light  and  love — with  joy  and 
peace.  Take  me  under  thy  guardian  care.  Guide  me 
by  thine  unerring  hand  through  all  the  dangerous  mazes 
of  this  mortal  state,  till  brought  to  the  full  fruition  of  thy 
glorious  Godhead,  through  the  all-sufficient  merits  of  my 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

How  happy  is  the  dying  saint, 

Whose  sins  are  all  forgiv'n ; 
With  joy  he  passes  Jordan's  flood, 

Unheld  by  hopes  of  heav'n. 

The  Saviour,  whom  he  truly  lov'd, 

Now  cheers  him  by  his  grace; 
A  glory  gilds  his  dying  bed, 

And  beams  upon  his  face. 

Ecstatic  joy  and  heav'nly  bliss 

Swell  his  enraptur'd  heart ; 
He  views  the  promis'd  land  of  rest, 

And  pants  for  his  depart. 

Terror  and  dread  are  both  unknown ; 

Sweet  peace  and  hope  appear, 
To  guide  the  blessed  traveller  home, 

And  all  his  footsteps  cheer. 


TRUE    HAPPINESS.  427 

Angels  of  light  attendant  wait 

His  spirit  to  convey 
Beyond  this  drear  abode  of  night, 

To  realms  of  endless  day. 

Oh  !  may  I  live  the  life  of  faith, 

Abound  in  holy  love, 
Till  death  shall  bear  my  joyful  soul 

To  Zion's  courts  above. 


LXXI. — ON    TRUE    HAPPINESS. 

There  is  one  important  truth  which  cannot  be  too 
deeply  engraven  on  the  heart — that  to  be  holy  is  to 
be  happy.  This  truth,  being  once  admitted,  accounts 
for  the  misery  of  thousands  who  are  in  search  of  hap- 
piness. They  mistake  its  real  nature,  and  the  way 
which  leads  to  it. 

They  thirst,  indeed,  for  the  refreshing  stream,  but  find 
it  not ;  because  their  minds  being  unholy,  they  cannot 
discern  (nor  even  relish,  if  they  could  discern)  the  true 
felicity  of  man. 

Where,  then,  is  this  sacred  treasure  to  be  found?  What 
shall  we  answer  to  the  thousands  who  inquire,  "  Who 
shall  show  us  any  good?" 

The  blessed  Gospel  reveals  the  important  secret. 
While  worldly  minds  are  toiling  through  the  vale  of 
life  to  reach  the  envied  spot,  the  imaginary  paradise 
of  affluence,  where  happiness  is  supposed  to  dwell  ;  the 
humble  Christian,  living  day  by  day  on  Christ  by  faith, 
enjoys  the  real  blessing  in  every  situation  and  condition 
of  life. 

Riches  cannot  confer  happiness.  Grace  can,  and  does. 
Herein  is  the  goodness  of  God  strikingly  manifested,  that 


428  TRUE    HAPPINESS. 

true  happiness  is  not  the  result  of  human  wisdom,  power, 
or  grandeur.  The  poor  may  enjoy  it,  while  the  most 
wealthy  are  destitute  of  it.  The  illiterate  may  discern 
its  excellence,  wThilst  the  wisest  philosophers  may  be 
blind  to  its  beauty. 

We  see  this  continually  verified.  The  rich  rejecting 
the  true  riches  ;  the  wise  of  this  world  despising  the 
true  wisdom  ;  the  men,  who  are  struggling  after  happi- 
ness, refusing  that  Gospel  which  alone  can  make  them 
happy. 

And  why  is  this  1  Because  man  is  naturally  blind  to 
the  things  of  God,  and  his  own  true  interest,  till  enlight- 
ened by  the  Spirit  of  God.  Truly,  man  by  nature  is  dead 
in  trespasses  and  sins. 

He  is  alive  indeed  to  evil,  and  active  in  the  pursuit 
of  earthly  good  :  but  towards  God  he  is  dead.  His 
heart  has  no  impulsive  feeling  of  love  and  gratitude. 
His  will  has  no  holy  bias  in  childlike  simplicity  and 
obedience  to  his  great  Creator.  He  is  averse  from  God. 
The  carnal  mind  has  not  only  no  desires  towards  God 
but  is  rooted  in  enmity  against  him. 

This  is  the  true  state  of  man  by  nature.  He  is  up  in 
arms  against  his  Maker.  Hence  he  is  an  object  of  de- 
served condemnation.  His  natural  conscience  testifies 
indeed  against  him.  But  he  breaks  through  all  restraints, 
and  sins  with  awful  determination. 

The  Almighty  could,  by  a  single  volition  of  his  will, 
consign  the  rebel  to  eternal  death.  But  Oh!  how  sweetly 
do  grace  and  mercy  shine  !  yea,  how  wonderfully  does 
mercy  rejoice  against  judgment ! 

Jesus  descends ;  satisfies  the  demands  of  the  law  ; 
removes  the  curse,  and  opens  the  kingdom  to  all  be- 
lievers. To  believe  this  mystery  of  love  ;  to  receive 
Christ  into  the  heart  by  faith  ;  to  live  under  the  abiding 
influence  of  this  heavenly  truth,  is  to  attain  the  grand 


TRUE    HAPPINESS.  429 

secret  of  happiness.  All  else  is  but  vanity  and  vexation 
of  spirit  ;  for  there  is  no  peace,  saith  my  God,  to  the 
wicked. 

It  is  evident,  then,  that  true  happiness  consists  in 
being  at  peace  with  God,  through  Jesus  Christ ;  and  in 
the  habitual  enjoyment  of  that  peace  in  the  conscience, 
through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

This  delightful  state  of  reconciliation  with  God  is 
connected  with  inward  purity,  as  the  blessed  fruit  of  the 
Saviour's  death  ;  for  holiness  is  an  essential  part  of 
Christ's  salvation. 

Thus  peace  and  purity  felt  and  enjoyed,  form  that 
happiness  which  creates  a  heaven  in  the  soul,  and  pre- 
pares the  soul  for  the  enjoyment  of  heaven. 

In  proportion  to  the  clearness  of  our  views  of  Gospel 
grace,  and  the  strength  of  our  faith  in  the  atonement  of 
Jesus,  will  be  our  victory  over  sin,  and  the  abundance 
of  our  peace  and  joy. 

All  believers  are  not  equally  happy,  because  all  are 
not  equally  strong  in  faith,  or  equally  advanced  in  in- 
ward holiness.  When,  therefore,  we  are  dejected  and 
fearful  ;  when  we  find  an  uncomfortable  restlessness 
within,  corroding  and  damping  our  spiritual  enjoyment ; 
or  when  we  feel  a  dread  of  the  judgment  to  come ;  we 
should  look  well  to  ourselves,  lest  there  be  some  root  of 
bitterness,  some  secret  sin  indulged  in  the  heart,  which, 
as  it  grieves  the  Holy  Spirit,  never  fails  to  intercept  the 
smiles  of  our  heavenly  Father,  to  becloud  our  evidences, 
and  to  mar  our  joy. 

Happiness  is  inseparable  from  holiness,  and  cannot 
exist  without  it.  Some  constitutions  are  prone  to  melan- 
choly ;  and  if  any  pious  persons  have  such  a  natural  pre- 
disposition to  sadness,  the  world  immediately  ascribes  it 
to  religion.  But  surely  this  is  most  uncandid,  and  shows 
how  -eadily  we  throw  the  blame  on  what  we  do  not  love. 


430  TRUE    HAPPINESS. 

How  perverted  is  man  in  his  feelings  and  affections  ! 
He  smiles  when  he  should  sigh ;  he  laughs  when  he 
should  mourn ;  he  appears  gay  and  sprightly  when  he 
should  be  of  a  sorrowful  spirit. 

But  Oh!  the  blessed  change  which  takes  place,  when 
the  Gospel  comes  to  the  heart,  not  in  wOrd  only,  but 
in  power,  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  in  much  assurance. 
He  sighs  and  mourns  over  his  guilt  and  misery:  but  his 
sorrow  is  turned  into  joy.  Jesus,  who  is  anointed  to 
preach  glad  tidings  unto  the  meek,  to  bind  up  the  bro- 
ken-hearted, and  to  comfort  all  that  mourn,  gives  him 
beauty  for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  and  the 
garment  of  praise  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness.  He  can 
now  rejoice  in  the  Lord  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full 
of  glory  :  a  heavenly  light  shines  into  his  soul,  and  he 
delights  himself  in  the  abundance  of  peace. 

Oh  happy,  blissful  state  !  who  would  not  long  to  be  a 
genuine  disciple  of  the  blessed  Jesus,  who  hath  assured 
his  obedient  people,  that  he  will  manifest  himself  unto 
them  as  he  does  not  unto  the  world ;  that  he  will  come, 
and  make  his  abode  with  them  %  What  heart  can  be 
unhappy,  in  which  Jesus  deigns  to  dwell  ?  to  which  he 
manifests  his  grace  and  love  ? 

Such  favored  souls  are  the  temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost; 
the  habitation  of  God  through  the  Spirit.  They  are  led 
by  the  Spirit  into  all  truth  :  are  preserved  from  the  cor- 
ruption which  is  in  the  world  through  lust,  and  bring 
forth  the  fruits  of  righteousness.  They  ripen  daily  for 
the  paradise  above,  where  they  shall  eat  of  the  tree  of 
life,  and  walk  in  white  with  him  whom  they  love  above 
every  created  being. 

Oh  my  soul,  receive  with  joy  the  reconciliation.  Noth- 
ing can  make  thee  happy,  but  a  simple  laying  hold  of 
Christ  by  faith. 

Oh  what  a  blessing  is  the  simplicity  of  faith  !    Lord, 


TRUE    HAPPINESS.  431 

enable  me  to  look  to  thee  as  revealed  in  the  Gospel,  and 
to  rely  with  unshaken  confidence  on  thy  atonement  and 
intercession. 

If  I  believe  with  the  heart  unto  righteousness,  I  shall 
be  saved,  saved  from  guilt  and  condemnation  ;  saved 
from  the  power  and  pollution  of  sin.  If  thus  saved,  I 
must  be  happy  ;  happy  in  the  love  of  God,  and  happy 
in  the  sweet  assurance  of  being  with  my  Saviour  for 
ever  and  ever. 

Lord  !  I  believe — help  thou  mine  unbelief.  I  would 
credit  thy  word.  It  is  unerring  truth.  Now  let  its  sacred 
power  be  felt  in  my  heart.  From  this  moment  seal  thy 
pardon  to  my  soul,  by  the  indubitable  impression  of 
heavenly  love. 

Who  can  describe  the  holy  joy, 

The  calm  that  reigns  within  ; 
When  Jesus  speaks  the  pard'ning  word, 

And  breaks  the  power  of  sin! 

Sweet  peace,  composing  all  the  mind, 

Bids  angry  passions  cease ; 
Graces  descending  from  above, 

Like  flowing  waves  increase. 

Dear  Saviour !  let  thy  healing  beams 

In  softest  radiance  shine  ; 
Let  humble  fear  and  love  abound, 

To  prove  the  work  divine. 

Then  will  my  grateful  heart  each  day 

Its  Ebenezer  raise, 
Till  angels  teach  me,  near  thy  throne, 

Eternal  songs  of  praise. 


432  TRUE    RELIGION. 


LXXII. ON    TRUE    RELIGION. 

True  religion  neither  courts  the  observation,  nor 
seeks  the  applause  of  men.  It  grows  and  thrives  most 
in  retirement.  Its  effects,  indeed,  are  widely  felt,  and  its 
blessings  extensively  diffused ;  but  its  salutary  streams 
are  fed  by  communion  with  God,  by  holy  meditation,  fer- 
vent prayer,  and  much  converse  with  the  holy  Scriptures. 
It  aims  at  the  glory  of  God.  Jesus  Christ  is  its  sum  and 
substance  ;  and  to  promote  the  happiness  of  the  whole 
human  race,  is  its  delightful  occupation. 

True  religion  is  the  very  opposite  to  hypocrisy  and 
formality.  It  is  made  up  of  truth  and  sincerity,  and  its 
love  is  without  dissimulation.  It  hates  every  false  glare, 
all  ostentatious  parade,  all  desire  to  be  seen  ;  and  labors 
to  approve  itself  to  Him  who  looketh  at  the  heart,  and 
examines  the  motives  of  men. 

True  religion  is  founded  on  the  truth  of  God's  holy 
word.  There,  man  is  declared  to  be  not  only  guilty, 
but  unable  to  save  himself ;  and  wholly  indebted  to  the 
sovereign  grace  of  God  for  life  and  salvation.  To  know 
God  in  his  word,  to  love  him  in  the  heart,  and  to  honor 
him  in  the  life,  is  the  daily  work  of  every  real  believer. 
Hence,  to  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity,  is  the 
essence  of  true  religion. 

Many  fatally  deceive  themselves  respecting  the  nature 
of  genuine  Christianity. 

True  religion  does  not  consist  in  having  a  name  to  live  ; 
a  reputation  for  godliness.  "  Thou  hast  a  name  that  thou 
livest,  and  art  dead." 

It  does  not  consist  in  outward  forms,  however  excellent. 
"Having  the  form  of  godliness,  but  denying  the  power 
thereof :    from  such   turn  away."     "  The  kingdom  of 


TRUE    RELIGION.  43S 

God  is  not  meat  and  drink ;  but  righteousness,  peace, 
and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost." 

It  does  not  consist  in  attending  divine  ordinances.  "This 
people  honoreth  me  with  their  lips,  but  their  heart  is  far 
from  me."  "  They  come  to  thee  as  the  people  cometh  ; 
they  hear  thy  words,  but  do  them  not,  for  their  heart 
goeth  after  their  covetousness." 

It  does  not  consist  in  outward  profession.  "  They  pro- 
fess that  they  know  God,  but  in  works  deny  him." 

It  does  not  consist  in  the  mere  performance  of  moral  duties. 
"  Except  your  righteousness  shall  exceed  the  righteous- 
ness of  the  scribes  and  pharisees,  ye  shall  in  no  case 
enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 

It  does  not  consist  in  head  knowledge,  great  gifts,  liberal- 
ity to  the  poor,  or  even  martyrdom  itself.  "  Though  I  speak 
with  the  tongues  of  men  and  of  angels  ;  though  I  have 
the  gift  of  prophecy,  and  understand  all  mysteries  and 
all  knowledge  ;  though  I  have  all  faith,  so  that  I  could 
remove  mountains ;  though  I  bestow  all  my  goods  to 
feed  the  poor  ;  and  though  1  give  my  body  to  be  burned, 
and  have  not  charity,  it  profiteth  me  nothing." 

The  religion  of  the  Bible  is  pure,  spiritual,  experimen- 
tal, and  practical.  It  is  the  devotion  of  the  heart  ;  for 
God  is  a  spirit,  and  requires  those  who  worship  him  to 
worship  him  in  spirit  and  in  truth. 

It  is  then  evident,  that  the  whole  of  evangelical  reli- 
gion may  be  summed  up  in  four  short  words — "  Faith 
working  by  love."  Without  love,  faith  is  dead,  like  a 
tree  destitute  of  sap.  Without  faith,  love  can  have 
no  existence ;  for  the  sap  cannot  exist,  if  the  root  be 
wanting. 

Good  works  are  the  blessed  fruits  of  faith,  and  prove 
the  existence  and  soundness  both  of  faith  and  love. 

God,  in  grace,  as  in  nature,  is  the  Creator  of  the 
root,  the  sap,  and  the  fruit.     He  gives  life  and  fertility. 

37 


434  TRUE    RELIGION. 

Without  him,  we  are  nothing",  and  can  do  nothing 
Hence,  believers  are  called  "  trees  of  righteousness,  of 
the  Lord*s  planting,  that  he  may  be  glorified  :" — and 
branches  in  Jesus  Christ,  the  true  vine  ;  who  hath  said, 
"  I  am  the  vine,  ye  are  the  branches  ;  he  that  abideth 
in  me  and  I  in  him,  the  same  bringeth  forth  much  fruit; 
for  without  me,  ye  can  do  nothing." 

True  religion  is  exemplified  in  the  conscientious  dis- 
charge of  all  the  social  and  relative  duties.  It  fills  the 
domestic  circle  with  peace  ;  and  every  community  where 
it  reigns,  with  unity  and  concord. 

The  Christian's  life  is  a  life  of  desire  and  enjoyment. 
His  desires  are  ever  on  the  wing  towards  Jesus,  and  at 
times  he  enjoys  the  smiles  of  his  Saviour,  which  gladden 
his  heart,  and  quicken  his  desires  after  a  perpetual  in- 
crease of  this  blessedness. 

He  pants  continually  after  true  happiness  in  the  exer- 
cise of  true  religion ;  and  every  taste  of  this  sweet  re- 
freshing fountain,  whilst  it  allays  his  thirst  after  earthly 
pleasures,  only  serves  to  increase  his  desires  after  more 
spiritual  communion  with  his  God  and  Saviour. 

Thus  he  proceeds,  till  his  most  enlarged  desire  is 
satisfied  in  that  blessed  region  where  all  the  saints  are 
led  to  living  fountains  of  water,  proceeding  from  the 
living  God. 

How  little  is  the  Christian's  life  known  by  the  world 
in  general  !  How  little  is  it  valued  even  by  those  who 
profess  to  esteem  it  !  How  true  the  apostolic  declara- 
tion :  "AH  men  seek  their  own,  not  the  things  which 
are  Jesus  Christ's."  The  warrior,  pursuing  fame  sven 
to  the  pinnacle  of  glory,  braving  all  the  horrors  of  the 
blood-stained  field  :  the  man  of  letters,  deeply  intrenched 
in  ponderous  folios,  seeking  by  research  to  immortalize 
his  name  :  the  busy  merchant,  stretching  out  his  arms, 
and  holding  in  his  wide  embrace  a  world  of  traffic  tq 


TRUE    RELIGION.  435 

enlarge  his  fortune  and  enrich  his  family:  ten  thousand 
times  ten  thousand  human  beings  of  every  rank  and 
station,  all  feel,  whilst  unrenewed,  a  secret  wish  that 
Scripture  truth  may  not  be  true.  Else  why  dispute  the 
plain,  yet  awful  declarations  of  the  word  of  God  ?  Why 
argue,  contradict,  and  gainsay,  yea,  deny  the  solemn 
revelation  of  his  will,  whose  word  is  truth,  whose  nature 
is  unchangeable,  whose  counsel  shall  stand,  and  who 
will  do  all  his  pleasure  1 

How  inveterate  is  the  natural  enmity  of  the  human 
heart  to  true  religion  !  Hence  every  call  from  earth 
to  heaven  is  neglected  and  despised.  The  heart,  deep 
rooted  in  the  earth,  derives  its  nourishment  from  thence; 
and  finds  no  relish  in  enjoyments  or  pursuits,  which 
stretch  beyond  the  boundaries  of  time,  or  bid  the  worldly 
mind  forsake  the  grovelling  pleasures  of  this  passing 
scene. 

The  religion  of  Jesus  is  unalterable  in  its  very  nature. 
It  is  founded  on  the  perfections  of  Jehovah,  and  on  the 
necessities  of  man.  Its  promises  and  precepts,  its  pros- 
pects and  privileges,  are  the  same  now,  as  they  ever 
were.  Then  why  is  the  face  of  the  Christian  world  so 
changed  ]  It  is  owing  to  the  prevalence  of  that  evil 
heart  of  unbelief,  against  which  St.  Paul  so  feelingly 
cautions  the  Hebrew  converts  ;  and  which  occasions  out 
present  lukewarmness,  slothfulness,  and  departure  from 
God. 

There  are  four  evils  which  mark  the  fallen  state  of 
Christians  in  general :  their  love  of  the  world — their 
love  of  ease — their  fear  of  man — their  distrust  of  provi- 
dence. 

The  primitive  believers  were  just  the  reverse  of  all 
this.  They  despised  the  world,  and  its  flattering  allure- 
ments :  they  took  up  the  cross,  and  denied  themselves  ; 
they  boldly  confessed  Christ,  and  suffered  for  his  sake ; 


436  TRUE    RELIGION. 

they  trusted  God  for  all  things,  and  so  took  joyfully  the 
spoiling  of  their  goods. 

And  what  was  the  blessed  fruit  1  They  abounded  in 
consolation  ;  they  grew  in  grace  ;  thy  shone  as  lights  in 
the  world ;  they  felt  joy  and  peace  in  believing. 

But  now  we  see  professing  Christians,  even  many  of 
whom  we  charitably  hope  well,  languid  in  their  graces, 
timid  in  their  confession,  fearful  of  consequences,  and 
fearful  of  offending.  Sad  symptoms  these,  of  spiritual 
decay  !  Hence  the  spirit  of  the  Gospel  is  not  exhibited. 
Its  character  is  not  exemplified,  and  Christ  is  not  glo- 
rified. 

No  marvel  that  the  work  of  evangelizing  the  world 
has  proceeded  so  slowly,  since  the  power  of  true  religion 
is  so  little  felt  by  the  bulk  of  professing  Christians.  An 
awful  charge  of  guilt  thus  rests  upon  the  visible  Church 
of  Christ.  But  as  the  Church  is  composed  of  individual 
members,  so  each  must  take  his  share  of  criminal  supine- 
ness  and  neglect.  And  thou,  Oh  my  soul,  must  stand 
-condemned  before  that  gracious  Saviour,  whose  love  de- 
mands the  exercise  of  all  those  powers  which  he  himself 
bestowed  upon  thee. 

Oh  that  the  Lord  may  quicken  his  people,  and  revive 
his  work  in  the  midst  of  the  days  ! 

Jesus  said,  "  If  any  man  will  come  after  me,  let  him 
deny  himself,  and  take  up  his  cross  daily  and  follow 
me."  This  cross  is  heavy  to  bear  when  earthly  affec- 
tions, or  pride,  or  unbelief  work  in  the  heart ;  but  when 
the  heart  is  filled  with  love  to  the  Saviour,  then  the 
greatest  cross  is  light,  and  even  pleasant  to  endure. 
Thus  the  apostles  "  counted  it  all  joy,  when  they  fell 
into  divers  temptations."  They  rejoiced  that  they  were 
counted  worthy  to  sufTer  shame  for  the  name  of  Jesus. 
Multitudes  of  loving  believers  gloried  in  tribulation,  and 
sealed  the  truth  with  their  blood. 


TRUE    RELIGION.  437 

If  Christianity  can  effect  such  wonders  in  the  hearts 
of  sinners,  how  powerful,  and  yet  how  beautiful,  is  true 
religion. 

As  God  will  be  for  a  crown  of  glory,  and  for  a  diadem 
of  beauty  unto  the  residue  of  his  people  ;  so  his  people 
shall  be  a  crown  of  glory  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  and 
a  royal  diadem  in  the  hand  of  their  God.  But  while 
we  admire  the  work  of  grace,  it  is  to  be  deeply  deplored 
that  the  world  has  made  such  sad  inroads  into  the  terri- 
tories of  the  visible  church. 

The  love  of  ease,  of  splendor,  of  worldly  distinction, 
of  family  comforts,  has  greatly  destroyed  that  spirit  of 
martyrdom  which  should  practically  operate  in  every 
believer  in  Jesus. 

Every  Christian  should  be  a  martyr  in  spirit.  He 
should  be  ready  to  leave  all,  and  sacrifice  all  for  Christ. 
That  excellent  reformer  (Ecolampadius,  writing  to  a 
friend,  said,  "  The  greatest  happiness  of  this  life  is  to 
venture  for  the  sake  of  Christ."  Many  will  venture 
their  all  in  some  profitable  speculation,  which  promises 
a  large  increase  of  worldly  property.  But  happy  indeed 
is  that  man  who  can  venture  all  for  Christ  in  faith  and 
love.  He  may  lose  all  that  the  world  calls  great  and 
good  ;  but  he  shall  receive,  through  the  merits  of  the 
Redeemer,  a  crown  of  glory  which  fadeth  not  away. 

It  is  easy  to  rejoice  at  the  bestowment  of  temporal 
favors,  and  sometimes  of  spiritual  mercies  ;  but  are  we 
as  ready  to  render  thanks  unto  the  Lord  for  pains  and 
trials,  for  losses  and  crosses,  endured  for  righteousness' 
sake,  or  in  the  wise  dispensations  of  a  good  and  unerring 
Providence  1 

Now  the  apostolic  command  is,  "  in  every  thing  give 
thanks."  But  Oh  !  how  little  of  this  primitive  spirit  is 
there  amongst  us.  Who  can  bear  with  joy  the  loss  of  all 
things  for  Christ's  sake  ?    Who  can  glory  in  tribulation] 

37* 


438  TRUE    RELIGION. 

Blessed  Lord  !  pour  out  thy  Holy  Spirit  upon  thy 
drooping  church,  that  it  may  "  revive  as  the  corn,  and 
grow  as  the  vine."  Oh  that  I  may  sit  loosely  to  the 
world  and  its  passing  enjoyments,  and  be  ready  to  arise 
and  follow  thee  wheresoever  thou  callest  me,  either  to 
labor  or  endure.  Make  me  unfeignedly  thankful  for 
hourly  mercies ;  and  with  these  mercies,  be  pleased  to 
bestow  a  heart  weaned  from  creature  comforts,  and  su- 
premely devoted  unto  thee.  Increase  in  me  true  reli- 
gion ;  that  so,  amidst  the  manifold  and  sundry  changes 
of  the  world,  my  heart  may  surely  there  be  fixed,  where 
alone  true  joys  are  to  be  found.  Give  me  that  spiritual 
perception,  and  that  spiritual  relish  for  heavenly  truths, 
which  are  the  experience  and  portion  of  thy  children 
here,  and  which  form  the  delightful  foretaste  of  their 
eternal  blessedness  in  the  world  to  come. 

Oh !  thou  in  whom  all  comfort  lies, 
The  source  of  all  my  inward  joys ; 
To  thee  I  look,  to  thee  I  call, 
My  only  hope,  my  life,  my  all. 

With  thee,  Oh  God,  is  holy  peace ; 
Thy  flowing  mercies  never  cease ; 
They  fill  the  spacious  courts  above 
With  odors  sweet  of  grace  and  love. 

Blest  Saviour,  with  delight  I  dwell 
On  themes  no  mortal  tongue  can  tell ; 
The  glory  of  thy  cross  exceeds 
All  human,  all  angelic  deeds. 

Oh  !  may  the  love  which  brought  thee  down 

Continue  still  thy  work  to  crown ; 

Till  ev'ry  nation  shall  confess 

Thy  grace,  thy  blood,  and  righteousness. 


ELECTION.  439 


LXXIII. ON    ELECTION. 


It  is  very  dangerous  to  indulge  a  spirit  of  curiosity 
respecting  the  deep  things  of  God. 

There  are  mysteries  in  the  kingdom  of  grace,  and  in 
the  kingdom  of  nature,  which  surpass  the  highest  powers 
of  created  intelligence  to  comprehend.  But,  as  in  the 
natural  world,  enough  is  made  level  to  our  capacity,  to 
render  us  comfortable  and  happy  with  respect  to  food, 
clothing,  and  other  temporal  conveniences  :  so  likewise 
in  things  pertaining  to  the  spiritual  world,  sufficient  is 
revealed  to  make  us  wise  unto  salvation,  through  faith  in 
Jesus  Christ. 

That  desire  of  being  wise  above  w7hat  is  written,  which 
is  the  effect  of  a  proud,  unhallowed  curiosity,  is  strongly 
reprehended  in  the  holy  Scriptures.  Our  blessed  Lord 
frequently  repressed  this  spirit  of  curious  inquiry  which 
is  so  natural  to  us. 

When  one  asked  him,  "  Lora,  are  there  few  that  be 
saved?"  his  practical  answer  was,  "Strive  to  enter  in  at 
the  strait  gate."  As  if  he  had  said,  "  trouble  not 
thyself  about  the  secret  counsels  of  heaven  ;  take  heed 
to  thyself,  or  thou  shalt  likewise  perish." 

At  another  time,  when  his  disciples  asked  him,  saying, 
"  Lord,  wilt  thou  at  this  time  restore  again  the  kingdom 
of  Israel  ?"  He  replied,  "  It  is  not  for  you  to  know  the 
times  or  the  seasons,  which  the  Father  hath  put  in  his 
own  power." 

When  Jesus  had  been  foretelling  Peter  by  what  death 
he  should  glorify  God  ;  Peter,  seeing  John,  the  disciple 
whom  Jesus  loved,  felt  a  curiosity  to  know  what  would 
become  of  him  also  ;  and  said,  "  Lord,  and  what  shall 
this  man  do  1"  Jesus  said  unto  him,  "  If  I  will  that  he 
tarry  till  I  come,  what  is  that  to  thee — follow  thou  me." 


440  ELECTION. 

Thus  we  see  how  pointedly  our  Lord  checked  that 
prying  into  secret  things,  which,  if  indulged,  would  take 
us  from  the  plain  path  of  childlike  obedience,  and  draw 
us  into  labyrinths,  where  our  minds  would  soon  be  "  in 
wandering  mazes  lost." 

But  although  we  cannot  fathom,  we  are  nevertheless 
to  believe  from  the  heart,  the  mysterious  truths  of  God. 
Should  any  of  these  truths  seem  to  contradict  each  other, 
it  arises  altogether  from  the  finite  nature  of  our  own 
mind.  Instead,  therefore,  of  laboring  to  reconcile  the  ap- 
parently opposing  statements  of  eternal  truth,  by  systems 
of  human  invention  ;  it  is  the  part  of  humility  to  receive 
each,  in  the  simplicity  of  faith,  as  God  has  been  pleased 
to  reveal  them  to  us  in  his  holy  word.  By  adopting  this 
mode,  we  shall  not  be  shackled  by  human  opinion,  nor 
be  afraid  of  inconsistency,  while  we  state  the  simple 
truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

How  rich,  how  full,  and  how  extensive  are  the  bless- 
ings which  St.  Paul  declared  to  the  Thessalonian  church. 
They  reach  from  everlasting  to  everlasting,  and  are  cal- 
culated to  animate  all  true  believers  to  works  of  faith, 
labors  of  love,  and  patience  of  hope  ;  since  he,  who  hath 
promised,  is  faithful,  and  will  never  forsake  the  work  of 
his  own  hands. 

"We  are  bound  to  give  thanks  always  to  God,  for 
you,  brethren,  beloved  of  the  Lord,  because  God  hath 
from  the  beginning  chosen  you  to  salvation,  through 
sanctification  of  the  Spirit,  and  belief  of  the  truth, 
whereunto  he  called  you  by  our  Gospel,  to  the  obtain- 
ing of  the  glory  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ."  (2  Thess.  ii, 
13,  14.) 

Some  may  ask  :  how  could  the  apostle  know  that  the 
Thessalonians  were  the  chosen  of  God  1  Had  he  ever 
been  favored  with  a  view  of  the  book  of  life  ?  Had  he 
ever  seen  their  names  written  in  heaven  1     Had  he  ever 


ELECTION.  441 

explored  the  secret  decrees  and  counsels  of  the  Almigh- 
ty 1  No.  This  eminent  servant  of  Christ  searched  an- 
other hook,  even  the  volume  of  grace,  the  revealed  word 
of  God.  There  he  discovered  the  clear  marks  and  evi- 
dences of  God's  redeemed  people.  And  being  himself 
under  the  immediate  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  he 
was  enabled  to  draw  just  conclusions  respecting  the 
state  and  character  of  those  who  embraced  the  Gospel. 

In  the  first  chapter  of  this  Epistle  to  the  Thessalo- 
nians,  the  apostle  displays  in  glowing  colors  the  faith, 
love,  patience,  zeal,  and  hope  of  this  infant  church  ; 
their  readiness  to  receive  the  word  ;  their  professed  sub- 
jection to  the  Gospel  ;  their  cheerful  waiting  for  Christ, 
and  their  joy  under  manifold  afflictions.  Hence  he  drew 
the  conclusion,  that  they  were  the  chosen  of  God:  "know- 
ing, brethren  beloved,  your  election  of  God." 

Whether  these  words  mean  God's  choice  of  them,  or 
their  choice  of  God,  it  comes  to  the  same  thing  ;  for,  "if 
we  love  him,  it  is  because  he  first  loved  us." 

All,  then,  who  truly  believe  in  Jesus,  and  who  are 
renewed  in  the  spirit  of  their  minds  through  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  evidence  their  election  of  God.  "  We 
are  bound  to  give  thanks  always  to  God  for  you,  brethren, 
beloved  of  the  Lord,  because  God  hath  from  the  begin- 
ning chosen  you  to  salvation,  through  sanctification  of  the 
Spirit  and  belief  of  the  truth." 

But  another  work  of  grace  is  mentioned  by  the  apos- 
tle; they  were  effectually  called  by  the  Gospel.  (2  Thess. 
ii,  13.) 

Thousands  are  called,  by  the  faithful  preaching  of  the 
Gospel  every  Sabbath  day,  to  fly  from  the  wrath  to  come, 
and  to  lay  hold  on  the  hope  set  before  them  in  a  cruci- 
fied Saviour.  Yet  how  few  obey  the  call,  and  come  unto 
Jesus,  weary  and  heavy-laden  with  the  burden  of  their 
sins ! 


442  ELECTION. 

How  few  are  effectually  called  !  The  great  mass  of 
baptized  Christians  hear  the  words  of  life,  but  regard 
them  not.  They  love  the  world,  and  cling  to  it.  They 
love  sin,  and  will  not  part  with  it.  They  love  darkness 
rather  than  light,  because  their  deeds  are  evil.  And  if 
it  be  asked,  why  do  they  thus  act  ?  the  answer  is  given 
by  St.  Paul  himself,  writing  under  the  guidance  of  the 
Holy  Spirit :  "  If  our  Gospel  be  hid,  it  is  hid  to  them 
that  are  lost.  In  whom  the  God  of  this  world  hath 
blinded  the  minds  of  them  which  believe  not,  lest  the  light 
of  the  glorious  Gospel  of  Christ,  who  is  the  image  of  God, 
should  shine  unto  them." 

We  may  therefore  conclude,  that  all,  who  believingiy 
obey  the  call  of  mercy,  and  draw  nigh  unto  God  through 
Jesus  Christ,  evidence  their  election  cf  God,  according 
to  the  plain,  grammatical  meaning  of  the  apostle's  de- 
claration. 

The  other  blessing  mentioned  by  St.  Paul,  and  which 
crowns  the  whole,  is,  the  eternal  glorification  of  all  who 
are  thus  effectually  called,  and  evidence  their  election 
in  Christ  by  faith  and  holiness  :  "  Whereunto  he  called 
you  by  our  Gospel,  to  the  obtaining  of  the  glory  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ" 

Our  divine  Master  hath  declared,  "  He  that  endureth 
unto  the  end,  shall  be  saved."  St.  Peter  assured  the 
Christian  strangers  who  were  scattered  abroad,  that 
they  were  "kept  by  the  power  of  God,  through  faith, 
unto  salvation." 

Hence  it  follows,  that  all  who  are  effectually  called 
by  the  Gospel,  shall  finally  obtain  the  glory  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  being  preserved  through  faith  unto  God's 
everlasting  kingdom.  Thus  grace  reigns  through  right- 
eousness unto  eternal  life,  by  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

The  Gospel  is  designed  to  stain  the  pride  of  human 
glory,  and  to  lay  man  in  the  dust  of  humiliation.     "  By 


ELECTION.  443 

grace  are  ye  saved  through  faith,  and  that  not  of  your- 
selves, it  is  the  gift  of  God  :  not  of  works,  lest  any  man 
should  boast ;  for  we  are  his  workmanship,  created  in 
Christ  Jesus  unto  good  works,  which  God  hath  before 
ordained  that  we  should  walk  in  them."  Such  is  the 
humbling,  yet  delightful  language  of  the  inspired  apostle. 

The  carnal  heart  rises  against  these  abasing,  purify- 
ing doctrines  of  the  cross,  which  strip  the  sinner  of  all 
self-righteous  dependance,  and  strike  at  the  root  of  all 
fleshly  indulgences.  The  proud  sinner  must  become  a 
fool  in  his  own  estimation,  and  feel  himself  to  be  noth- 
ing, before  he  can  receive  with  gratitude  these  stupen- 
dous blessings  offered  for  his  acceptance  in  the  Gospel. 

Divine  grace  alone  can  effect  this  mighty  change. 
But  what  cannot  the  power  of  Omnipotence  accomplish? 
"  I  will  work,  and  who  shall  let  it  ?"  is  the  voice  of  a 
Sovereign,  "  who  worketh  all  things  after  the  counsel 
of  his  own  will ;"  who  hath  said,  "  my  counsel  shall 
stand,  and  I  will  do  all  my  pleasure." 

Man,  if  left  to  himself,  would  never  seek  after  God. 
His  language  is,  "  I  have  loved  strangers,  and  after 
them  I  will  go." 

But  when  God  says,  "  LIVE  ;" — the  soul  sholl  as 
assuredly  live,  as  when  at  the  creation  he  said,  "Let 
there  be  light,  and  there  was  light." 

The  chaotic  mass  was  formed  to  order  and  beauty, 
when  the  Spirit  of  God  moved  upon  the  face  of  the  deep ; 
and  so  shall  the  disordered  soul  be  transformed  after  the 
divine  image,  when  Almighty  Grace  puts  forth  its  new 
creating  power.  "This  people  have  I  formed  for  my- 
self;  they  shall  shew  forth  my  praise." 

When  the  leper  said,  "Lord,  if  thou  wilt,  thou  canst 
make  me  clean  ;"  Jesus  replied,  "  I  will,  be  thou  clean : 
and  immediately  his  leprosy  departed  from  him." 

In  Jesus,  we  behold  "the  mighty  God" — "God  mani 


444  ELECTION. 

fest  in  the  flesh,"  exerting  his  benign  power  in  healing 
diseases,  in  stilling  the  raging  elements,  in  casting  out 
devils,  in  multiplying  provisions,  in  raising  the  dead,  in 
revealing  men's  thoughts,  in  forgiving  sin. 

And  now  that  he  is  in  glory,  and  reigns  as  sovereign 
Lord  ;  no  darkness  of  the  understanding,  no  hardness  of 
the  heart,  no  rebellion  of  the  will,  no  alienation  of  the 
affection,  no  outward  opposition,  or  inward  repugnance  to 
the  truth,  can  prevent  the  conversion  and  final  salvation 
of  that  soul,  whom  God  loves  with  an  everlasting  love, 
and  draws  with  loving-kindness  to  the  cross  of  Christ. 

"  Herein  is  love  ;  not  that  we  loved  God,  but  that  he 
loved  us,  and  sent  his  son  to  be  the  propitiation  for  our 
sins  ;"  is  the  wonderful  announcement  of  the  messengers 
of  peace. 

As  believers  in  Jesus  are  declared  to  be  "  chosen  in 
him  before  the  foundation  of  the  world,  that  they  should 
be  holy,  and  without  blame  before  him  in  love  ;"  so  the 
change  which  passes  upon  the  soul  when  brought  by  the 
Spirit  to  the  love  and  practice  of  holiness,  as  evidential  of 
its  election  in  Christ,  is  described  in  Scripture  by  the 
boldest  figures. 

"  And  you  hath  he  quickened,  who  were  dead  in  tres- 
passes and  sins."  "  We  know  that  we  have  passed  from 
death  unto  life,  because  we  love  the  brethren."  "Ye 
were  sometimes  darkness,  but  now  are  ye  light  in  the 
Lord."  "  Giving  thanks  unto  the  Father,  who  hath 
delivered  us  from  the  power  of  darkness,  and  hath  trans- 
lated us  into  the  kingdom  of  his  dear  Son,  that  ye  should 
shew  forth  the  praises  of  him  who  hath  called  you  out 
of  darkness  into  his  marvellous  light."  "  Except  a  man 
be  born  of  water  and  of  the  Spirit,  he  cannot  enter  into 
the  kingdom  of  God."  "  If  any  man  be  in  Christ,  he  is 
a  new  creature  ;  old  things  are  passed  away,  and  behold, 
all  things  are  become  new." 


ELECTION.  445 

This  blessed  conversion  from  sin  to  holiness  is  thua 
declared  by  the  apostle  to  the  Romans :  "  Ye  were  the 
servants  of  sin,  but  ye  have  obeyed  from  the  heart  that 
form  of  doctrine  which  was  delivered  you."  To  the 
Thessalonians :  "  Ye  turned  from  idols  to  serve  the 
livmg  and  true  God."  To  the  Corinthians:  "Know 
ye  not,  that  the  unrighteous  shall  not  inherit  the  king- 
dom of  God  1  and  such  were  some  of  you  :  but  ye  are 
washed  ;  but  ye  are  sanctified  ;  but  ye  are  justified,  in 
the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  by  the  Spirit  of  our  God." 

The  way  and  means  of  the  church's  salvation  were 
also  fore-ordained.  Jesus  is  declared  to  be  the  Lamb 
slain  from  the  foundation  of  the  world.  Faith  is  the 
divinely-appointed  instrument,  by  which  the  sinner  is 
enabled  to  lay  hold  on  Christ. 

The  Holy  Spirit  is  promised  to  all  who  ask  for  this 
unspeakable  gift.  "  Ho,  every  one  that  thirsteth,  come 
ye  to  the  waters,"  is  the  gracious  call. 

The  Gospel  is  designed  to  be  a  universal  blesr'ng  ; 
for  the  command  is,  "Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach 
the  Gospel  to  every  creature"  The  invitation  is  general 
— the  command  to  preach  the  Gospel  is  unlimited. 
None  are  excluded  but  such  as,  through  unbelief,  ex- 
clude themselves  ;  for  "  God  desireth  not  the  death  of  a 
sinner,  but  rather  that  he  should  turn  from  his  wicked- 
ness and  live  ;"  "he  is  not  willing  that  any  should  per- 
ish, but  that  all  should  come  to  repentance  ;"  "he  will 
have  all  men  to  be  saved,  and  to  come  unto  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  truth." 

Such  are  the  views  which  Infinite  Wisdom  and  Love 
has  given  us  in  the  pages  of  inspired  truth.  Eternal 
misery  is  there  declared  to  be  the  fruit  of  man's  wilful 
apostacy  and  rebellion  ;  and  eternal  happiness  the  free 
gift  of  sovereign  grace  through  Jesus  Christ. 

Thrice  happy,  then,  are  they  who  experier  :e  the  savii  \g 

38 


446  ELECTION. 

grace  of  God  ;  who  hear  in  faith  ;  who  obey  the  call  of 
mercy  ;  and  who  follow  the  Lord  fully  and  perseveringly 
in  filial  obedience. 

These  are  the  objects  of  the  Saviour's  love  and  care ; 
theirs  are  the  promises  ;  and  to  them  belong  the  glories 
which  shall  shortly  be  revealed. 

Oh  happy  people  !  saved  by  the  Lord. 

Blessed  Saviour,  draw  my  heart  sweetly  and  power- 
fully to  thyself.  Oh  make  me  thy  temple  !  May  thy 
word  reach  my  heart,  and  thy  love  constrain  my  soul  to 
love  and  obedience.  Like  Matthew,  may  I  cheerfully 
obey  thy  call,  leave  all,  and  follow  thee.  Subdue  every 
rebellious  inclination  ;  and  let  nothing  dwell  within  me 
that  is  contrary  to  thy  will.  Root  out  of  my  heart  all 
evil  affections,  and  fill  me  with  the  fruits  of  righteous- 
ness. May  my  happy  station  ever  be  at  the  foot  of  the 
cross.  There  wean  my  heart  from  earthly  things,  and 
bind  me  to  thyself  by  cords  of  everlasting  love.  Oh  let 
me  never,  never  wander  from  thee  ;  but  preserve  me  to 
thy  kingdom  and  glory  for  thy  infinite  mercies'  sake. 

Dear  Shepherd  of  the  chosen  flock, 

I  love  to  hear  thy  voice ; 
When  full  of  kind  redeeming  love, 

Thou  bidst  my  heart  rejoice. 

Oh,  let  me  never  quit  the  road, 

That  leads  to  thine  abode ! 
Oh,  suffer  not  my  feet  to  stray 

From  thee,  the  living  God ! 

'Tis  thy  delightful  work  to  save, 

Thy  pleasure  and  thy  joy ; 
Then  let  thy  praise  each  fleeting  hour 

My  grateful  thoughts  employ. 

A  stranger,  Lord,  I  will  not  know, 

Through  thy  preserving  grace ; 
But  follow  thee  with  cheerful  steps 

To  heav'n,  thy  dwelling-place. 


SPIRITUAL    VISION.  447 


LXXIV. ON    SPIRITUAL    VISION. 

It  is  a  pleasant  thing  for  the  eye  to  behold  the  sun, 
and  all  the  varied  objects  which  are  illuminated  by  its 
rays.  If  the  natural  eye  be  such  a  precious  gift  of  pro- 
vidence, the  eye  of  faith  must  be  an  invaluable  gift  of 
grace.  Through  the  weakness  of  the  natural  eye,  dis- 
tant objects  are  dimly  seen  ;  but,  by  the  eye  of  faith,  we 
can  pierce  the  veil  which  bounds  our  sight,  and  view 
the  unseen  glories  of  the  heavenly  world. 

Lord,  impart  unto  thy  servant  this  spiritual  vision, 
that  I  may  daily  contemplate  the  wonders  of  eternity, 
and  the  blest  abodes  of  heavenly  purity  and  joy. 

When  I  look  with  an  eye  of  faith  towards  heaven, 
what  do  I  there  behold  1 

The  glorious  habitation  of  Him  who  filleth  all  space 
with  his  presence,  who  dwelleth  in  the  light  which  no 
man  can  approach  unto.  I  there  behold  the  throne  of 
grace  and  mercy,  in  the  midst  of  which  appears  a  Lamb 
slain,  even  Jesu3,  the  friend  of  sinners,  the  advocate  of 
guilty  man. 

I  there  behold  myriads  of  glorified  spirits  hymning  the 
praises  of  Him,  who  was,  and  is,  and  is  to  come.  They 
appear  as  flames  of  fire,  burning  with  zeal  and  love. 
Their  outstretched  wings  express  their  readiness  to  fulfil 
the  mandate  of  their  God. 

I  there  behold  rivers  of  pleasures,  mansions  of  bliss ; 
yea,  more  than  tongue  can  speak  or  heart  conceive. 
There  dwells  the  great,  the  glorious  God-Man,  Emanuel, 
God  with  us.  Around  him  are  assembled  all  his  faith- 
ful ministers  and  people  ;  clothed  in  white,  with  palms 
of  victory  in  their  hands,  singing  to  their  golden  harps 
the  praises  of  redeeming  love. 

To  be  ever  near  this  gracious  Saviour ;  to  behold  his 


448  SPIRITUAL    VISION. 

glory  ;  to  experience  the  fulness  of  his  love  ;  to  enjoy  his 
smiles  ;  to  be  filled  with  his  Spirit ; — is  the  heaven,  the 
felicity,  the  glory  of  the  saints  in  light. 

When  from  these  high  abodes  I  cast  my  eyes  upon 
this  earth  on  which  I  tread,  how  mean  does  it  appear ! 
The  believer  may  at  that  very  moment  be  treading  upon 
a  scorpion,  but  he  feels  not  its  painful  sting  ;  some  acute 
disorder  may  be  striking  through  every  nerve,  but  his 
exalted  views  of  heavenly  glory  benumb  the  pain,  and 
blunt  the  edge  of  suffering.  Through  the  power  of  his 
realizing  faith,  he  is  even  more  than  conqueror.  He  can 
glory  in  tribulation,  and  triumph  in  death.  The  world 
may  frown,  but  it  troubles  him  not.  It  may  smile,  but 
he  regards  it  not.  His  whole  soul  is  full  of  heaven,  of 
Christ,  and  of  eternal  glory. 

Oh  thou  ever-blessed  Spirit  of  grace  and  truth,  impart 
this  precious  faith — this  realizing  view  of  Jesus — this 
sweet  foretaste  of  everlasting  bliss.  Give  me  to  know 
and  feel  my  interest  in  his  atoning  blood.  Make  me 
more  active  for  Christ — more  devoted  to  his  cause — more 
attached  to  his  people — more  alive  to  his  honor — more 
simple  in  my  dependance — more  sincere  in  my  profes- 
sions— more  simple  in  all  my  aims  to  glorify  my  God 
and  Saviour. 

When  I  look  into  the  grave,  what  do  I  there  behold  ] 
The  dire  effects  of  sin  ;  the  vanity  of  all  created  things; 
the  end  of  pomp  and  pride. 

But  when,  with  the  eye  of  faith,  I  look  beyond  this 
cold  and  dreary  mansion  of  the  dead,  what  awful  scenes 
present  themselves  before  me  !  There  I  behold  the  rich 
man,  who,  when  on  earth,  fared  sumptuously  every  day, 
lifting  up  his  eyes  in  torment,  without  one  cooling  drop 
to  quench  his  flaming  tongue.  And  why  does  he  thus 
suffer  ?  Because  he  trusted  in  his  riches,  and  forgat  his 
God. 


SPIRITUAL    VISION  449 

The  grave  is  the  concluding  scene  of  splendor  and 
magnificence.  There,  the  now  pampered  body  must 
become  the  food  of  worms.  There,  the  body  now  ar- 
rayed in  purple  and  fine  linen,  must  be  covered  with 
corruption! 

Methinks  this  humiliating  end  of  human  greatness 
should  convince  the  fondest  worldling  of  the  vanity  of 
earthly  things.  And  surely  it  would  impress  the  mind, 
and  deeply  too,  if  men  would  but  consider.  Vain,  thought- 
less man  !  ah  !  when  will  he  be  wise  ? 

The  opening  grave  creates  a  slight  alarm,  when  some 
beloved  object  is  laid  within  its  cold  embrace.  But  soon 
the  transient  tear  is  wTiped  away,  and  every  serious 
thought,  like  writing  on  the  sand,  is  rapidly  effaced  by 
the  world's  returning  tide  of  business  or  of  pleasure. 

Lord,  grant  that  it  may  not  be  so  with  me.  Teach 
me  sd  to  number  my  days,  that  I  may  apply  my  heart 
unto  wisdom.  Preserve  me  from  the  folly  of  building 
the  fabric  of  my  hopes  upon  so  mutable  a  foundation  as 
human  life. 

Oh  may  I  never  boast  of  to-morrow,  but  labor  to  im- 
prove to-day.  Oh  may  I  seek  thee  noio,  whilst  thou 
mayest  be  found,  and  call  upon  thee  whilst  thou  art 
near :  for  now  is  the  accepted  time,  now  is  the  day  of 
salvation.  May  I  learn  wisdom  from  the  folly  of  others  ; 
and  pray  that  they  also  may  become  wise  unto  salvation. 
Remembering  that  the  end  of  all  things  is  at  hand,  may 
I  be  sober  and  watch  unto  prayer.  May  I  live  in  a  con- 
stant preparation  for  a  dying  hour,  and  find  the  last 
retiring  moment  the  happiest  of  my  life,  being  brightened 
by  faith  in  Jesus,  and  an  assured  hope  of  glory. 

When  I  look  around  me  in  the  world,  what  do  I  there 
behold  ?  A  scene  of  complicated  misery — an  Aceldama, 
a  field  of  blood;  a  huge  hospital  filled  with  all  mannei 
of  diseases ;  an  asylum  full  of  maniacs,  fancying  them 

38* 


452  HEAVEN. 

All  the  glories  of  kingdoms,  all  the  beauties  of  gar- 
dens, all  the  splendors  of  palaces,  yea,  all  the  riches  of 
creation,  form  but  a  faint  sketch  of  the  sublime  original. 

Earth  can  only  afford  a  shadowy  representation  of 
heavenly  glory.  The  Holy  Spirit  reveals  far  sweeter 
views  to  our  minds,  than  those  which  are  drawn  from 
sublunary  scenes. 

Heaven  is  a  state  of  rest.  "  There  the  wicked 
cease  from  troubling,  and  there  the  weary  are  at  rest." 
How  delightful  is  rest  to  the  weary  traveller,  to  the  sons 
and  daughters  of  affliction  ;  to  those  whose  bodies  are 
<c  chastened  with  pain  ;"  or  whose  souls  are  "  lilled  with 
the  scorning  of  those  that  are  at  ease,  and  with  the  con- 
tempt of  the  proud." 

How  cheering  is  the  prospect  of  rest  to  the  persecuted 
followers  of  Jesus,  who  find  no  abiding  city  here,  being 
driven  from  place  to  place  by  the  rude  hand  of  arbitrary 
power.  How  happy  was  the  exchange  for  Lazarus, 
when  carried  by  angels  from  a  leprous  body,  wasted  with 
hunger,  to  Abraham's  bosom,  to  the  mansion  of  the 
blessed,  the  paradise  of  God. 

Heaven  is  the  abode  of  peace.  Pleasing  thought 
indeed,  to  those  who  are  constrained  to  dwell  with 
Mesech,  and  have  their  habitation  among  the  tents  of 
Kedar  ;  who  are  compelled  to  say  with  David,  "  my  soul 
hath  long  dwelt  with  those  who  are  enemies  to  peace, 
whose  tongues  are  sharp  swords,"  wounding  the  feelings, 
and  destroying  the  happiness  of  all  around  them. 

But  in  heaven  all  is  harmony  and  love.  There,  every 
heart  vibrates  in  unison,  and  swells  with  pure  affection. 

The  sons  of  peace  shall  dwell  with  their  heavenly 
Father,  who  is  the  God  of  peace  ;  with  Jesus  their  Re- 
deemer, who  is  the  Prince  of  Peace ;  with  the  Holy 
Spirit,  whose  fruit  is  peace. 

The  Triune  God  will  cause  their  peace  to  flow  like 


HEAVEN.  453 

a  river  fed  by  a  perennial  spring,  whose  waters  fail  not; 
ever  issuing,  clear  as  crystal,  from  the  throne  of  God  and 
of  the  Lamb. 

Heaven  is  a  state  of  perfect  holiness.  Ho?' 
ardently  does  the  true  believer  in  Jesus  pant  after  perfect 
holiness.  Here,  indeed,  he  cannot  attain  unto  it.  Every 
moment  bespeaks  his  infirmity.  Too  often,  alas  !  his 
deep  corruption,  inwardly  felt  and  deplored,  makes  him 
cry  out  in  bitter  anguish  of  spirit,  "  Oh  !  wretched  man 
that  I  am,  who  shall  deliver  me]"  In  heaven,  he  shall 
be  for  ever  delivered  from  the  workings  of  inbred  sin.  In 
heaven,  he  shall  be  perfected  in  holiness.  He  loves, 
therefore,  to  anticipate  the  bliss  of  heaven,  which  con- 
sists in  seeing  God  in  all  his  unutterable  glories ;  in 
being  made  like  him  in  the  perfection  of  beauty;  in 
being  for  ever  with  him  in  the  enjoyment  of  his  love. 

In  heaven,  he  will  be  pure  as  God  is  pure,  holy  as  God 
is  holy;  not,  indeed,  in  degree,  but  in  nature.  All  the 
loveliness  of  the  Saviour  will  be  reflected  from  the  hea- 
venly bride,  when,  adorned  with  every  grace  and  clothed 
in  the  righteousness  of  her  beloved  Lord,  she  shall  shake 
herself  from  the  dust  at  the  morning  of  the  resurrection, 
and  arise  and  shine  in  the  full  splendor  of  eternal  glory. 

Oh  !  how  glorious  will  that  period  be,  when  all  the 
elect  of  God  shall  be  gathered  in  ;  when  not  a  grain  of 
the  precious  seed  shall  be  lost ;  when  every,  even  the 
feeblest,  lamb  shall  be  housed  from  the  storm. 

Heaven  is  a  state  of  unmixed  happiness.  No 
tears  bedew  the  cheeks,  no  sorrow  rends  the  hearts  of  its 
blissful  inhabitants.  In  those  celestial  regions  there  is 
no  pain,  neither  painful  separation  of  kindred  souls.  All 
is  blooming  health  and  immortal  vigor.  There,  death 
shall  strike  its  dart  no  more ;  for  death  is  swallowed  up 
in  victory. 

Bin,  which  now  imbitters  every  blessing,  cannot  shed 


454  HEAVEN. 

its  baneful  influence  over  the  glorified  spirits  surrounding 
the  throne  of  God.  Satan  can  find  no  admittance  into 
those  realms  of  bliss.  The  world,  and  all  which  it  con- 
tains, shall  have  passed  away.  Every  enemy  shall  be 
destroyed;  and  Christ  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever. 

Heaven  is  a  state  of  never-ending  bliss.  This 
stamps  a  value,  which  all  the  gilded  happiness  of  this 
world  cannot  boast.  "  The  perpetuity  of  bliss,  is  bliss." 
Here,  all  is  fugitive  and  unsatisfactory.  The  utmost 
point  of  earthly  enjoyment  is  vanity  and  vexation  of 
spirit.  He  who  grasps  the  most,  grasps  only  a  delusive 
shadow.  Nothing  beneath  the  eternal  source  of  blessed- 
ness, God  in  Christ,  can  give  abiding  peace  or  joy.  How 
endearing,  then,  are  the  words  of  the  Saviour  :  "These 
things  I  have  spoken  unto  you,  that  in  me  ye  might  have 
peace."  "  These  things  have  I  spoken  unto  you,  that 
my  joy  might  remain  in  you ;  and  that  your  joy  might  be 
full" 

Heaven  is  the  assemblage  of  all  that  is  lovely 
and  excellent.  There  dwell  the  cherubim  and  sera- 
phim;  the  angels  and  archangels;  principalities,  thrones, 
dominions,  and  powers.  There  will  all  the  friends  of 
Jesus,  who  have  lived  in  successive  ages  of  the  world, 
meet  in  blissful  harmony  and  adoring  praise.  There  all 
the  holy  intelligences  will  have  one  mind,  one  voice, 
one  will,  one  spirit.  All  will  be  filled  with  the  love  of 
God.  All  will  be  holy,  and  all  will  be  inexpressibly 
happy. 

The  divine  image,  which  is  the  real  excellence  and 
beauty  of  the  moral  creation  of  God  upon  earth,  will  be 
seen  in  all  its  glory,  when  the  bride,  the  Lamb's  wife, 
the  church  triumphant,  shall  be  presented  to  the  hea- 
venly Bridegroom,  without  spot  or  wrinkle,  or  any  such 
thing. 

Oh !  my  soul,  rest  not  day  nor  night,  till  the  Lord 


HEAVEN.  455 

come  and  rain  down  righteousness  upon  thee,  and  thus 
make  thee  meet  for  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light 

To  taste  something  of  the  blessedness  of  heaven,  I 
need  not  travel  in  imagination  over  mighty  kingdoms,  or 
picture  to  my  mind  the  varied  beauties  of  art  and  nature : 
I  must  descend  into  my  own  heart,  and  there,  in  "  secret 
silence  of  the  mind,"  contemplate  by  faith  the  infinite 
loveliness  of  the  Saviour,  till  a  flame  of  holy  love  warm 
every  affection,  and  a  beam  of  holy  joy  gladden  every 
power  of  my  soul. 

Such  glimpses  of  uncreated  glories  ;  such  tastes  of 
redeeming  grace  ;  such  views  of  Jesus  and  his  great 
salvation,  purifying  the  heart,  and  raising  the  transported 
spirit  above  this  poor,  polluted  world  ;  may  well  be  called 
— a  heaven  begun  below. 

If  it  be  heaven  to  behold  God  without  a  veil ;  to  bear 
his  image  ;  to  dwell  in  his  presence  ;  then  the  prepara- 
tion for  heaven,  and  the  foretaste  of  it,  must  consist  in 
beholding  God  now  by  the  eye  of  faith,  as  revealed  in 
his  holy  word  ;  in  being  now  transformed  by  the  renew- 
ing of  the  mind  ;  and  in  holding  daily  converse  with 
him  by  a  diligent  perusal  of  the  Scriptures  and  by 
prayer. 

This  is  the  life  of  faith.  All  profession  of  religion, 
without  this,  is  mere  delusion.  Such  barren  profession 
may  be  full  of  words,  whilst  destitute  of  works ;  full  of 
notions,  whilst  devoid  of  holy  affections  ;  full  of  zeal  for 
doctrines,  whilst  empty  of  all  saving  graces. 

But  Oh  !  how  calm  and  tranquil  is  the  humble  Chris- 
tian, who  enjoys  an  assured  hope  of  glory  !  He  resem- 
bles a  person  standing  on  some  mighty  eminence.  Above 
him  shines  the  sun,  without  an  intervening  cloud ; 
whilst  far  beneath  his  elevated  station,  roars  the  dreadful 
thunder. 

The  great  mass  of  mankind  is  compared  in  Scripture 


450  HEAVEN. 

to  the  sea.  This  emblem  is  most  accurate.  The  sea 
is  always  varying  in  its  form  ;  ever  restless,  ever  fluctu- 
ating. Its  waves,  at  one  time,  rage  with  tremendous 
fury ;  at  another,  they  undulate  in  gentle  motion,  or 
subside  into  a  peaceful  calm.  Thus  the  heart  of  man  ss 
compared  to  that  element,  which,  with  the  most  appro- 
priate significance,  denotes  deceitfulness,  instability,  and 
change. 

In  the  blessed  world  of  glory,  which  St.  John  saw, 
when  wrapt  in  vision  in  the  isle  of  Patmos,  "  there  was 
no  more  sea."  No  turbulent  elements,  no  ungovernable 
passions,  no  wild  uproar  to  disturb  its  everlasting  rest, 
no  bar  to  intercourse  or  sweet  communion  among  the 
heavenly  hosts. 

The  true  Christian  is  a  citizen  of  the  New  Jerusalem. 
He  daily  walks  with  God  by  faith.  His  heart  is  sepa- 
rated from  a  vain  and  noisy  world,  through  which  he  is 
indeed  hastening,  but  to  which  he  does  not  belong. 

He  wants  not  to  busy  himself  about  its  passing  vanities, 
or  to  contend  about  its  fleeting  honors.  He  shuns  the 
angry  disputes  of  fiery  politicians,  and  the  crowds  of 
maddening  multitudes.  He  feels  the  force  of  the  pro- 
phet's exhortation,  "  Let  the  potsherds  strive  with  the 
potsherds  of  the  earth  ;"  and  seeks  to  lead  a  quiet  and 
peaceable  life  in  all  godliness  and  honesty  ;  well  know 
ing  that  this  is  good  and  acceptable  in  the  sight  of  God 
his  Saviour. 

He  has  a  nobler  conquest  to  obtain  than  that  which 
occupies  the  worldling's  mind.  He  labors  to  obtain 
the  conquest  over  himself ;  since  "  he  that  is  slow  to 
anger,  is  better  than  the  mighty  ;  and  he  that  ruleth  his 
spirit,  than  he  that  taketh  a  city."  He  has  to  contend 
against  those  very  evils  which  are  fostered  by  the  world, 
and  which  lead  the  heart  directly  from  God. 

He  honors  and  obeys  the  laws.     He  cheerfully  sub- 


HEAVEN.  457 

mitF  fo  the  powers  that  be,  not  only  for  wrath,  but  also 
for  conscience'  sake.  He  regards  his  neighbor's  welfare 
as  his  own,  and  studies  to  be  quiet,  and  do  his  own 
business.  He  wishes  to  "  owe  no  man  any  thing,  but  to 
love  one  another."  Love,  he  considers  to  be  a  debt 
which  he  should  always  be  laboring  to  discharge,  al- 
though he  knows  it  can  never  be  fully  paid. 

Such  is  the  believer  in  Jesus.  Such  is  the  heir  of 
glory.  He  is  a  son  of  peace,  and  is  hastening  to  the 
mansions  of  peace.     As  his  life  is,  so  is  his  death. 

"  Mark  the  perfect  man,  and  behold  the  upright ;  for 
the  end  of  that  man  is  peace." 

There  is  a  world  of  rich  delight, 

Where  warm  affections  glow  ; 
Where  reigns  the  everlasting  light, 

Where  crystal  waters  flow. 

There  happy  saints  securely  dwell 

From  Satan's  deadly  pow'r; 
Their  bliss  no  mortal  tongue  can  tell, 

"  Unfolding  ev'ry  hour." 

They  dwell  with  Jesus,  and  behold 

The  beauties  of  his  face; 
Secure  in  the  celestial  fold, 

And  crown'd  by  sov'reign  grace. 

From  earth,  and  all  its  empty  joys, 

Blest  Jesus,  set  me  free  ; 
How  vair.  the  worlding's  gilded  toys, 

Compared  with  heav'n  and  thee ! 

Thou  art  my  hope,  my  way,  my  bliss, 

My  glory,  and  my  crown ; 
Descend,  thou  blessed  Prince  of  Peace, 

And  make  my  heart  thy  throne. 


39 


458  BLESSEDNESS    OF    THE    SAINTS. 


LXXVI. ON    THE    BLESSEDNESS    OF    THE    SAINTS. 

The  book  of  Revelation  contains  not  only  the  most 
important  prophecies  respecting  the  church  of  Christ,  to 
the  end  of  time ;  but  also  unfolds  to  us  the  happy  and 
glorified  state  of  true  believers  in  the  heavenly  world. 

The  apostle  John  saw  a  door  opened  in  heaven  ;  and 
scenes  of  the  most  solemn,  grand,  and  delightful  nature 
were  presented  to  his  view. 

Oh  blessed  Saviour  !  thou  who  art  the  light  and  glory 
of  the  heavenly  world,  take  away  the  scales  of  unbelief 
and  ignorance  from  my  eyes,  and  enable  me  to  look 
through  the  veil,  and  contemplate  with  delight  those 
joys  which  are  prepared  for  thy  people,  that  my  affec- 
tions may  be  fixed  upon  things  above,  where  thou  sittest 
at  the  right  hand  of  God. 

From  the  book  of  Revelation  1  find  what  graces  of  the 
Spirit  accompany  the  believer  to  the  celestial  Canaan. 
Love,  joy,  peace,  gratitude,  humility,  adoring  awe,  and 
an  ineffable  delight  in  the  triumphs  and  glories  of  Jesus, 
form  part  of  that  felicity  which  the  redeemed  experience 
in  the  presence  of  God  and  the  Lamb. 

The  seed  is  sown,  and  the  bud  is  formed  here  ;  but 
the  flower  expands,  and  the  sacred  fruits  ripen  under  the 
eternal  beams  of  the  Sun  of  righteousness. 

The  more  my  soul  is  filled  with  these  graces,  the  more 
shall  I  be  assimilated  to  the  spirits  of  just  men  made 
perfect  in  heaven. 

Pride  can  find  no  entrance  into  heaven.  There,  the 
saints  are  all  humility.  Boasting  is  for  ever  excluded. 
They  are  filled  with  that  charity  which  vaunteth  not 
itself,  is  not  puffed  up.  They  sing  unceasing  praises  tc 
him  who  washed  them  from  their  sins  in  his  own  blood. 


BLESSEDNESS  OF  THE  SAINTS.         459 

Casting  their  crowns  before  the  throne,  in  token  of  their 
own  unworthiness,  they  cry,  "  Worthy  is  the  Lamb." 
Every  motion  to  pride  is  the  effect  of  the  fall.  The 
whole  scheme  of  redemption  is  calculated  to  humble  the 
sinner,  whilst  it  exalts  the  glory  of  Jehovah  Jesus,  and 
promotes  the  sanctification  of  every  believing  soul. 

From  the  interesting  vision  vouchsafed  to  the  apostle 
as  recorded  in  the  7th  chapter,  I  learn  that  the  blessings 
of  salvation  are  not  confined  to  any  particular  age  or 
nation  ;  for  multitudes  out  of  all  nations,  and  kindreds, 
and  people,  and  tongues,  stood  before  the  throne  and 
before  the  Lamb,  clothed  with  white  robes,  and  having 
palms  in  their  hands. 

Jesus,  therefore,  may  justly  be  called  "  the  Lamb  of 
God  that  taketh  away  the  sins  of  the  world  ;"  once 
typified  by  the  lamb,  sacrificed  every  morning  and 
evening  on  the  Jewish  altar;  and  symbolically  repre- 
sented by  "  a  lamb  slain"  in  the  apocalyptic  vision. 

I  here  behold  the  amazing  honor  which  Jesus  puts 
upon  his  people. 

The  apostle  saw  three  circles  round  about  the  throne ; 
and,  wonderful  to  contemplate  !  those  blessed  angels 
who  never  sinned,  composed  the  outer  circle  !  No  envy 
or  jealousy  lurks  in  their  holy  bosoms.  It  is  only  on 
this  polluted  earth,  that  such  unhallowed  fires  are  found 
to  burn.  Oh !  that  every  unholy  flame  may  be  quenched 
in  my  soul. 

Blessed  Jesus,  impress  thy  sacred  precepts  on  my 
heart.  Weave  them  into  the  very  texture  of  my  soul. 
Thou  hast  said  by  thy  apostle,  "be  ye  clothed  with 
humility."  Oh!  make  me  humble;  and,  under  an  abi- 
ding consciousness  of  my  own  unworthiness,  may  I  ever 
esteem  thee  above  all  created  beings,  and  my  fellow 
sinners  better  than  myself. 

The   Christian's  life  is  affectingly  described  by  the 


460  BLESSEDNESS    OF    THE    SAINTS. 

Elder,  who  spoke  to  St.  John.  The  words  are  few,  but 
comprehensive.  "  These  are  they  which  came  out  of 
great  tribulation."  Yes  !  they  that  will  live  godly  in 
Christ  Jesus  must  suffer  persecution.  It  is  through 
much  tribulation  that  we  enter  the  kingdom.  This 
tribulation  is  both  inward  and  outward. 

Outward  trials  may  vary  in  different  periods  of  the 
world.  In  our  days,  we  are  privileged  to  worship  the 
God  of  our  salvation  under  the  protection  of  a  mild  and 
paternal  government,  none  making  us  afraid.  There 
have  been  ages,  and  those  not  a  few,  when  believers,  of 
whom  the  world  was  not  worthy,  were  compelled  to 
seek  an  asylum  in  mountains,  and  dens,  and  caves  of 
the  earth,  being  destitute,  afflicted,  tormented.  The 
danger,  with  respect  to  Christians,  now  is,  lest  outward 
prosperity  and  the  absence  of  persecution  should  produce 
inward  languor  and  spiritual  decay. 

The  graces  of  the  Spirit  generally  thrive  best  in  tem- 
pestuous seasons,  when  the  saints  are  driven,  as  it  were, 
to  their  place  of  refuge,  by  the  brandishing  sword  of  ty- 
ranny or  superstition.  But  God  is  all-sufficient,  who  can 
impart  grace  equal  to  the  day  either  of  ease  or  trouble. 

In  every  age,  the  believer  will  experience  inward 
trials  arising  from  his  own  heart,  and  the  busy  tempta- 
tions of  Satan.  He  will  find  himself  surrounded  with 
snares  and  dangers,  whether  he  be  in  outward  prosperity 
or  adversity.  Hence  he  will  always  stand  in  need  of 
watchfulness  and  prayer.  Like  David,  however,  he 
may  "  encourage  himself  in  the  Lord  his  God,"  since  all 
tilings  shall  work  together  for  good,  whilst,  in  the  exercise 
of  faith  and  love,  he  labors  in  patience  to  possess  his  soul. 

From  this  sublime  vision  I  learn,  that  salvation  is  all 
of  grace.  The  blood  of  Jesus  freely  and  gratuitously 
poured  out  upon  the  cross,  is  the  sole  procuring  cause  of 
eternal  salvation. 


BLESSEDNESS    OF    THE    SAINTS.  461 

The  soul  of  the  heavenly  saint,  once  guilty  and  pol- 
luted, was  pardoned  and  purified  through  faith  in  the 
atonement  of  Jesus.  On  this  account,  and  on  this  only, 
does  he  stand  before  the  throne  of  God.  All  human 
righteousness  is  for  ever  excluded.  He  that  glorieth, 
must  glory  in  the  Lord.  None  will  ever  be  admitted 
into  the  presence  of  God,  but  those  whose  robes  are 
washed  and  made  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 

None  will  ever  be  admitted  to  sing  the  praises  of  self. 
All  the  redeemed  unite  in  one  grand  everlasting  chorus: 
u  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain  to  receive  power, 
and  riches,  and  wisdom,  and  strength,  and  honor,  and 
glory,  and  blessing."  "  Blessing,  and  honor,  and  glory, 
and  power,  be  unto  him  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne, 
and  unto  the  Lamb  for  ever  and  ever." 

The  employment  of  redeemed  saints  is  also  described 
in  this  glorious  vision  :  "They  shall  serve  God  day  and 
night  in  his  temple."  Idleness  is  not  happiness.  The 
rest  of  heaven  is  not  inaction  ;  for  "absence  of  occupa- 
tion is  not  rest."  Activity  characterizes  the  heavenly 
world.  Here,  we  are  soon  wearied,  even  in  the  sweet- 
est seasons  of  devotion.  The  spirit  is  often  willing, 
when  the  flesh  is  weak.  But  in  heaven,  the  believer 
shall  serve  God  without  weariness  and  distraction. 

Here,  we  often  groan,  being  burdened ;  and  at  the 
close  of  a  blessed  sabbath,  have  to  mourn  over  a  dead 
and  lukewarm  heart.  But  in  heaven,  the  soul  shall  be 
filled  with  ecstasy  and  delight,  while  serving  the  eternal 
Jehovah  day  and  night  in  his  temple. 

Oh  !  the  happy  slate  of  that  glorious  world,  where 
sin  and  its  baneful  influence  shall  molest  the  ransomed 
soul  no  more  ! 

How  awfully  do  those  persons  deceive  themselves, 
who  hope  for  happiness  in  heaven,  whilst  averse  to  holy 
meditation  and  praise! 

39* 


4G2  BLESSEDNESS    OF    THE    SAINTS. 

The  dispositions  of  the  saints  in  light  must  now  be 
wrought  in  every  believing  soul.  The  exercise  of  hea- 
venly graces  forms  the  beauty  and  happiness  of  the 
saints  on  earth,  as  well  as  their  qualification  for  the  en- 
joyment of  the  heavenly  felicity. 

What  tongue  can  describe  the  blessedness  contained 
in  these  few  words :  "  He  that  sitteth  Upon  the  throne, 
shall  dwell  among  them."  When  Jesus  manifests  him- 
self to  his  people  but  for  a  short  period,  he  makes  their 
delighted  spirits  like  "  the  chariots  of  Aminadab." 
They  are  borne  aloft  upon  the  wings  of  fervent  love ; 
yea,  like  Elijah,  they  are  carried  to  heaven  in  a  chariot 
of  fire.  But  for  Jesus  to  dwell  among  them,  and  that 
for  ever  and  ever ;  Oh  !  what  heart  can  conceive  the 
"unutterable  bliss. 

Here,  indwelling  sin  often  grieves  the  Holy  Visitant, 
and  quenches  the  sacred  flame ;  but  in  heaven  it  is  not  so. 

Lord,  fit  and  prepare  me  for  this  glorious  state,  cru- 
cify every  wrong  desire,  and  make  me  an  humble  fol- 
lower of  the  Lamb. 

In  heaven,  the  believer  will  be  removed  out  of  the 
reach  of  evil.  Those  happy  souls,  who  have  washed 
their  robes,  and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb,  "  shall  hunger  no  more,  neither  thirst  any  more  ; 
neither  shall  the  sun  light  on  them,  nor  any  heat." 
"  God  himself  shall  be  with  them,  and  be  their  God. 
He  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  their  eyes;  and  there 
shall  be  no  more  death,  neither  sorrow,  nor  crying,  nei- 
ther shall  there  be  any  more  pain,  for  the  former  things 
are  passed  away."  The  ransomed  host  who  stand  upon 
Mount  Zion  as  conquerors  through  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb,  shall  be  admitted  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  highest 
good. 

They  shall  eat  of  the  tree  of  life  which  is  in  the  midst 
of  the  paradise  of  God.     "  They  shall  eat  of  the  hidden 


BLESSEDNESS    OF    THE    SAINTS.  4b3 

manna  ;  and  receive  a  white  stone,  in  which  is  written 
a  new  name,  which  no  man  knoweth,  saving  he  that  re- 
ceiveth  it."  "They  shall  be  clothed  with  white  rai- 
ment, and  their  names  shall  not  be  blotted  out  of  the 
book  of  life."  "  The  Lamb  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the 
throne,  shall  feed  them,  and  lead  them  unto  living  foun- 
tains of  water."  "  They  shall  inherit  all  things,"  and 
"  reign  with  Christ  for  ever  and  ever."  Such  is  the 
blessedness  of  the  saints.  To  this  blessedness,  the  Spirit 
and  the  Bride  say,  "  come — and  let  him  that  heareth 
say,  come  ;  and  let  him  that  is  athirst,  come;  and  who- 
soever will,  let  him  take  of  the  water  of  life  freely." 
Almighty  Redeemer  !  make  me  willing  to  receive  with 
joy  and  gratitude  these  rich  blessings  of  thy  grace  ;  so 
dearly  purchased,  and  so  freely  offered.  Impart  thy 
whole  self  to  my  longing  soul ;  and  enable  me  to  give 
my  whole  self  to  thee. 

Oh  !  grant  that  I  may  possess  thee  as  my  present  and 
eternal  portion.  With  unextinguishable  desire  may  I 
seek  thy  face  and  favor.  Never  let  me  rest  in  outward 
forms,  nor  in  any  of  thy  appointed  means  of  grace  ;  but, 
ever  bearing  the  blessed  end  in  view,  may  I  labor  to  ap- 
prehend that,  for  which  also  I  am  apprehended  by  thy 
grace,  till  I  attain  at  length  the  prize  of  the  high  calling 
of  God,  even  eternal  life,  through  the  exceeding  riches 
of  thy  love  and  mercy.  Thou  hast  said,  "surely  I  come 
quickly  ;  amen.     Even  so  come,  Lord  Jesus." 

Though  billows  of  sorrow  should  roll, 

And  surround  me  on  every  side  ; 
Yet  thou  canst  the  tempest  control, 

My  Saviour,  my  Refuge,  and  Guide. 

Thy  smile  makes  the  soul  to  expand, 

And  graces  celestial  to  grow  ; 
With  rapture  I  gaze  on  the  land, 

Where  pleasures  incessantly  flow. 


464  CHRISTIAN    OBEDIENCE. 

'Tis  there  my  dear  Saviour  resides, 
In  fulness  of  glory  and  grace  ; 

And  there  the  pure  river  that  glides 
Through  regions  of  joy  and  of  peace. 

The  life-yielding  tree  there  shall  spread 
Its  branches  luxuriantly  round ; 

The  saints  robed  in  white  shall  be  fed 
With  fruits  from  Emanuel's  ground. 

How  deep  is  the  myst'ry  of  grace, 
The  theme  of  bright  seraphs  above  ; 

To  see  the  sweet  beams  of  his  face, 
To  dwell  in  the  essence  of  love  ! 

My  Father  !  thy  nature  is  love  ; 

In  Jesus  thine  image  I  view  ; 
Oh  may  I  behold  him  above, 

And  praise  him  eternally  too. 

May  this  my  delight  ever  be, 

On  earth  his  rich  grace  to  record ; 

And  when  from  these  temples  set  free, 
"With  joy  ascend  up  to  the  Lord. 


LXXVII. ON    CHRISTIAN    OBEDIENCE. 

Obedience  to  the  divine  command  is  essential  to  the 
character  of  a  child  of  God.  "  A  son  honoreth  his  father. 
If,  then,  I  he  a  father,  where  is  mine  honor,  saith  the 
Lord  of  hosts  P* — Malachi.  "  If  ye  love  me,  keep  ray 
commandments."  "  He  that  hath  my  commandments 
and  keepeth  them,  he  it  is  that  loveth  me."  How  far 
removed  from  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  are  those  who 
consider  it  legal  to  enforce  obedience  to  the  moral  law  ! 
The  life  of  Christ  was  an  undeviating  display  of  perfect 
holiness,  and  sinless  obedience  to  the  will  of  his  Father, 
from  the  manger  to  the  cross,  he  hath  left  us  an  exam- 


CHRISTIAN    OBEDIENCE.  465 

pie  that  we  should  follow  his  steps.  The  obedience  of 
Christ  was  without  reserve  :  "  I  seek  not  mine  own  will, 
but  the  will  of  the  Father  which  hath  sent  me."  "  My 
meat  and  drink  is  to  do  the  will  of  him  that  sent  me,  and 
to  finish  his  work."  "Oh  my  Father,  if  this  cup  may 
not  pass  away  from  me,  except  I  drink  it,  thy  will  be 
done."  Oh  !  that  we  may  have  grace  to  drink  deeply 
into  the  spirit  of  our  divine  Emanuel,  and  under  every 
suffering  dispensation  to  say,  "  The  will  of  the  Lord  be 
done." 

What  blessedness  is  treasured  up  in  this  single  peti- 
tion :  "  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven." 
If  we  could  live  under  the  daily  influence  of  believing 
prayer,  we  should  indeed  be  happy.  Our  wills  being 
moulded  into  the  will  of  God,  we  should  acquiesce  in 
all  the  divine  dispensations.  With  Eli,  we  should  say, 
"  It  is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  what  seemeth  him  good." 
With  Aaron,  we  should  hold  our  peace.  With  Job, 
under  the  deprivation  of  earthly  comforts,  we  should 
exclaim,  "  The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken 
away  ;  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord."  With  David, 
our  language  would  be  :  "  I  was  dumb,  I  opened  not  my 
mouth  :  because  thou  didst  it."  With  Habakkuk,  we 
should  sing,  "  Although  the  fig-tree  shall  not  blossom, 
neither  shall  fruit  be  in  the  vines  ;  the  labor  of  the  olive 
shall  fail,  and  the  fields  shall  yield  no  meat ;  the  flock 
shall  be  cut  off  from  the  fold,  and  there  shall  be  no  herd 
in  the  stalls  :  yet  I  will  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  1  will  joy  in 
the  God  of  my  salvation."  Thus,  with  holy  Paul,  we 
should  learn,  in  whatsoever  state  we  are,  therewith  to  be 
content.  Oh  how  happy  we  should  be,  if  we  never  felt 
in  our  hearts  one  desire  or  affection  contrary  to  the  will 
of  our  heavenly  Father !  It  is  the  want  of  perfect  con- 
formity to  the  commands  of  God,  which  occasions  so 
much  darkness  and  distress,  so  much  sin  and  suffering  in 


466  CHRISTIAN    OBEDIENCE. 

the  world.  The  more  we  resemble  Jesus,  in  his  life  and 
spirit ;  the  more  we  are  made  willing  to  do  and  to  suffer 
the  holy  will  of  God ;  the  more  of  joy  and  peace  will 
dwell  in  our  souls.  If  the  will  of  God  were  done  on 
earth  as  it  is  in  heaven,  what  showers  of  blessings  would 
descend  upon  it !  Then  would  be  realized  the  glowing 
descriptions  of  the  latter-day  glory,  when  the  kingdoms 
of  this  world  shall  become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord, 
and  of  his  Christ,  and  he  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever. 

As  pilgrims,  journeying  through  a  darksome  wilder- 
ness, our  heavenly  Father  has  provided  for  us  a  lamp, 
to  lighten  our  path,  and  to  cheer  us  on  our  way.  David 
prized  this  blessing:  "Thy  word  is  a  lamp  unto  my 
feet,  and  a  light  unto  my  path."  Oh  how  greatly  should 
we  value  it,  now  that  it  contains  the  full  revelation  of 
the  will  of  God  to  man  !  Let  us  daily  study  and  pray 
over  the  book  of  God  ;  then  the  word  of  Christ  will  dwell 
in  us  richly  in  all  wisdom  and  spiritual  understanding, 
and  make  us  meet,  through  the  Spirit,  for  the  inheritance 
of  the  saints  in  light. 

Are  any  asking,  what  doth  the  Lord  require  of  us? 
Hear,  and  your  souls  shall  live. 

1.  "God  coinmandeth  all  men  everywhere  to  repent." 
Acts  xvii,  30. 

"  This  is  his  commandment,  that  we  should  believe  on 
the  name  of  his  son  Jesus  Christ."     1  John  iii,  23. 

Have  we  done  the  will  of  God,  by  turning  away  from 
all  our  iniquities  and  receiving  Christ  as  our  only  Saviour? 
Repentance  and  faith  are  the  gifts  of  grace  :  "  Jesus  is 
exalted  to  be  a  prince  and  a  Saviour,  for  to  give  repent- 
ance to  Israel  and  forgiveness  of  sins."  "  He  is  the 
author  and  finisher  of  our  faith."  Under  the  conviction 
of  our  own  helplessness,  and  his  fulness  of  power  and 
love,  have  we  prayed  to  him  for  strength  to  repent  and 
believe  with  the  heart  unto  righteousness  1     What  evi- 


CHRISTIAN    OBEDIENCE.  467 

dence  do  we  possess  of  having  obtained  help  from  the 
Lord  ?  Is  our  stubborn  will  subdued  1  Are  our  earthly 
desires  mortified  1  Have  we  renounced  our  own  right- 
eousness, and  thrown  ourselves  upon  Christ  for  every 
blessing,  as  the  fruit  of  his  perfect  atonement,  and  obe- 
dience to  the  law  for  man  1  Are  we  willing  to  be 
nothing,  that  Christ  may  be  all  in  all  1 

2.  "  This  is  my  commandment,  that  ye  love  one  an- 
other, as  I  have  loved  you."     John  xv,  12. 

Sweet  and  delightful  precept  ! — To  a  renewed  mind, 
the  commandments  of  Jesus  are  not  grievous;  his  ser- 
vice is  perfect  freedom  ;  his  yoke  is  easy,  and  his  burden 
is  light.  Holiness  would  be  our  happiness,  were  it  not 
for  that  carnal  mind  which  is  enmity  against  God.  Love 
reigns,  wherever  Christ  dwells.  God  is  love,  and  he 
that  dwelleth  in  love,  dweileth  in  God,  and  God  in  him. 
Oh  what  a  happy  world  would  this  be,  if  love  governed 
every  heart,  and  directed  every  action.  Are  our  hearts 
alive  to  the  welfare  of  our  fellow-creatures  'i  Passing 
over  the  boundaries  of  kindred,  sect,  and  nation,  can  we 
feel  a  Christian  affection  for  all,  of  every  clime  and  of 
every  color,  who  bear  the  Saviour's  image,  who  are  the 
objects  of  his  love,  and  the  subjects  of  his  kingdom  1 
Does  our  charity  manifest  its  indwelling  by  acts  of  kind- 
ness, liberality,  and  sympathy  ;  by  spiritual  communion, 
and  intercessory  prayer  ]  Is  the  love  of  Christ  to  us  the 
pattern  of  our  love  to  others  1  Lord,  shed  abroad  thy 
love  in  our  hearts,  that  we  may  prove  our  discipleship  by 
dwelling  in  the  element  of  holy  love. 

3.  "  I  say  unto  you,  Love  your  enemies,  bless  them 
that  curse  you,  do  good  to  them  that  hate  you,  and  pray 
for  them  which  despitefully  use  you  and  persecute  you  " 
Matt,  v,  44. 

Difficult  and  self-denying  duty  !  Oh  how  counter 
does  this  precept  run  to  the  stream  of  natural  corruption  ! 


468  CHRISTIAN    OBEDIENCE. 

And  yet,  divine  grace  can  enable  us  to  practise  this  com- 
mand of  love  also.  It  is  true,  we  cannot,  nor  are  we 
required  to  love  our  enemies,  if  they  be  enemies  for  the 
Gospel's  sake,  as  we  should  love  our  dear  Christian 
friends ;  yet,  we  must  feel  towards  them  a  love  of  com- 
passion for  their  souls ;  we  must  pray  for  their  conver- 
sion ;  and  requite  them  good  for  evil.  We  must  resemble 
him  who  maketh  his  sun  to  rise  on  the  evil  and  on  the 
good,  and  sendeth  rain  on  the  just  and  on  the  unjust. 

4.  "  This  is  the  will  of  God,  even  your  sanctification." 
1  Thess.  iv,  3.  The  great  design  of  Christ's  coming  into 
the  world,  was,  to  save  sinners  ;  to  save  them  from 
their  sins ;  from  this  present  evil  world  ;  and  from  the 
wrath  to  come.  Having  made  atonement  for  vis  by  his 
death  upon  the  cross,  and  ascended  up,  far  above  all 
principality  and  power,  he  now  sheds  forth  the  Holy 
Ghost,  to  purify  unto  himself  a  peculiar  people,  zealous 
of  good  works.  He  has  promised,  and  encouraged  us  to 
pray  for  the  Spirit  of  truth,  the  Comforter.  Are  we  daily 
seeking  after  this  blessing  by  fervent,  believing  prayer? 
What  evidence  have  we  that  our  prayer  has  been  an- 
swered 1  Have  our  minds  been  guided  into  all  truth  1 
Are  we  led  by  the  Spirit  out  of  ourselves  lo  the  cross  of 
Christ  1  Do  we  walk  in  the  Spirit,  under  the  daily 
power  of  his  sanctifying  grace  ?  Do  we  seek  the  exter- 
mination of  every  bosom-sin,  and  labor  to  crucify  the 
flesh,  with  the  affections  and  lusts  ? 

5.  "  In  every  thing  give  thanks,  for  this  is  the  will  of 
God  in  Christ  Jesus  concerning  you."  1  Thess.  v,  18. 

Gracious  command  !  Truly  God  wills  the  happiness 
of  his  people,  when  he  wills  that  they  shall  have  a  thank- 
ful heart.  Who  is  so  happy  as  the  rejoicing  believer, 
saved  through  the  blood  of  Jesus  1  How  varied  soever 
be  his  crosses  and  trials,  he  can  bless  God  for  them  all, 
because  on  each  he  can  read,   in  legible  chaiacters, 


CHRISTIAN    OBEDIENCE.  409 

"  whom  the  Lord  loveth,  he  chasteneth."  As  the  afflic- 
tion aboundeth,  the  consolation  doth  also  abound  ;  for 
when  all  around  him  is  storm  and  tempest,  he  can  sing-, 
11  God  is  ->ur  refuge  and  strength,  a  very  present  help  in 
trouble."  Thus  he  rejoices  in  the  Lord  always,  and  in 
every  thing  gives  thanks. 

Have  we  thus  done  the  will  of  God,  endeavoring, 
through  the  Spirit,  to  maintain  a  praising  frame?  Filled 
with  gratitude  for  the  blessing  of  redemption,  do  we  de- 
light in  speaking  good  of  his  name,  and  telling  of  his 
salvation  from  day  to  day  1  Oh  what  happiness  we  lose, 
by  not  cultivating  a  thankful  spirit  !  Were  we  deeply 
sensible  of  our  deserts,  as  sinners,  we  should  be  over- 
whelmed at  the  sight  of  our  mercies,  so  freely  and  abun- 
dantly poured  out  upon  us  through  Jesus  Christ.  May 
the  Lord  make  us  duly  thankful ;  then,  we  shall  devote 
all  our  powers  to  his  service  and  glory,  who  has  redeemed 
us  at  so  rich  a  price. 

Come,  thou  Spirit  of  holiness,  come  into  our  hearts, 
and  make  thine  abode  within  us.  Come,  precious  Earn- 
est of  all  spiritual  and  eternal  blessings,  and  be  within 
us,  as  the  witness  of  our  adoption  into  the  family  jf  God; 
the  seal  of  our  salvation.  Make  us  willing  to  welcome 
thine  approach,  and  to  receive  thee  with  joy  and  g  d- 
ness.  Mould  our  souls  into  the  image  of  Jesus  ;  conform 
our  wills  to  the  will  of  God.  Fill  us  with  the  light  of 
truth,  and  the  fire  of  love.  Oh  give  us  a  foretaste  of 
celestial  happiness,  by  the  inward  manifestations  of  thy 
favor.  Teach  us  to  know  ourselves.  Guide  as  into  the 
way  of  peace.  Preserve  us  from  the  wiles  of  Satan,  the 
deceitfulness  of  sin,  the  corruption  of  the  flesh,  the  al- 
lurements of  the  world.  Arm  us  for  the  spiritual  com- 
bat. Strengthen  us  by  thy  power,  and  make  us  more 
than  conquerors  through  him  who  hath  loved  us,  and 
given  himself  for  us.     Sust   in  us,  is  we  pass  through 

40 


470  DAY    OF    JUDGMENT. 

the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  and  bring  us,  with 
songs  of  triumph,  into  the  heavenly  Zion.  To  free,  sove- 
reign, boundless  love,  be  all  the  praise. 

Gracious  is  our  heav'nly  king, 
Let  us  each  his  praises  sing, — 
Ever  loving,  ever  kind, 
Seek — for  all  who  seek  shall  find. 

Let  us  seek  Him  in  his  Son, 
Who  by  grace  our  hearts  has  won ; 
Seek  him,  through  the  Spirit's  power, 
"Wait  the  soft,  refreshing  shower. 

Lord,  to  us  thyself  impart, 

Cheer  and  bless  each  longing  heart  j 

Keep  us  all  from  evil  free, 

Make  us  live  for  heaven  and  thee. 

May  we  all  thy  love  possess, 
Travelling  through  this  wilderness, 
Till  we  reach  thy  dwelling-place, 
And  behold  thee  face  to  face. 


LXXVIII. ON  THE  DAY  OF  JUDGMENT. 

He  who  said,  "  Behold  I  come  quickly,  and  my  reward 
is  with  me,  to  give  every  man  according  as  his  work  shall 
be ;"  will  soon  appear  seated  on  his  great  white  throne, 
as  the  glorified  God-man,  the  judge  of  quick  and  dead. 
How  all-absorbing  should  the  consideration  of  this  period 
be  !  And  yet,  alas  !  how  little  does  it  interest  the  minds 
of  thoughtless  millions!  Occupied  with  ten  thousand 
vanities,  men  seldom  think  upon,  much  less  prepare  for, 
death  and  judgment.  The  ever-varying  concerns  of  life 
fill  up  each  fleeting  hour,  till,  reaching  the  verge  of  their 
earthly  existence,  they  are  hurried,  in  all  their  unpre- 


DAY    OF    JUDGMENT.  471 

paredness,  into  the  presence  of  their  God.  Oh  !  that 
they  were  wise,  that  they  understood  this,  that  they 
would  consider  their  latter  end. 

The  day  of  judgment  will  be  a  day  of  final  separation. 
Now,  the  wheat  and  the  tares  grow  together ;  but  then, 
we  shall  discern  between  the  righteous  and  the  wicked  ; 
between  him  that  serveth  God,  and  him  that  serveth 
him  not.  Many  who  were  first  in  the  estimation  of  men, 
will  be  found  last  in  the  sight  of  God  ;  while  many  who 
were  last  in  the  esteem  of  the  world,  will  be  exalted  in 
the  presence  of  saints  and  angels.  The  once  flaming 
professor  of  godliness  will  be  cast  into  outer  darkness, 
when  his  secret  thoughts  shall  be  revealed  to  an  assem- 
bled world.  Self-love,  spiritual  pride,  vain-glory,  and  a 
thousand  unhallowed  springs  of  action,  will  then  be 
disclosed  to  his  utter  confusion,  and  prove  the  worthless- 
ness  of  his  boasted  righteousness. 

What  self-reproaches,  what  gnawTings  of  conscience — 
that  worm  which  never  dies — will  tear  the  hearts  of 
those  wTho  were  once  enlightened  and  tasted  of  the 
heavenly  gift  (Heb.  vi,  4 — 6),  yet  apostatized  from  the 
faith,  through  the  fear  of  man  or  love  of  the  world  (2 
Tim.  iv,  10)  ;  thus  manifesting  that  their  hearts  were 
never  right  with  God.  (1  John  ii,  19.)  What  dismay 
and  anguish  will  be  seen  in  the  countenances  of  others, 
who,  when  on  earth,  despised  the  riches  of  divine  mercy, 
or  trifled  away  their  day  of  grace.  The  man  of  business, 
whose  time  wTas  engrossed  in  amassing  wealth  as  his 
chiefest  good  ;  the  voluptuary,  who  devoted  all  his 
powers  to  sinful  pleasures  ;  the  man  of  ambition,  who 
sacrificed  his  conscience  to  the  idol  of  worldly  greatness; 
the  man  of  science,  (falsely  so  called,)  who  disdained  to 
bend  his  reason  to  divine  revelation, — will  each  be  found 
to  be  a  fool  and  a  madman  ;  while  the  holy,  self-denying 
believer  in  Jesus,  whose  life  was  counted  madness,  and 


472  DAY    OF    JUDGMENT. 

his  end  to  be  without  honor,  will  appear  most  glorious 
when  his  lot  is  among  the  saints.  "  Remember  me,  Oh ! 
Lord,  according  to  the  favor  that  thou  bearest  unto  thy 
people  ;  Oh  !  visit  me  with  thy  salvation,  that  I  may  see 
the  felicity  of  thy  chosen,  and  rejoice  in  the  gladness 
of  thy  people,  and  give  thanks  with  thine  inheritance." 

Would  we  be  found  amongst  the  redeemed  in  the  day 
of  judgment,  we  must  be  willing  to  drink  of  their  cup. 
Jesus  was  a  man  of  sorrows  and  acquainted  with  grief; 
and  his  people  have  ever  been  an  afflicted  people.  The 
offence  of  the  cross  has  not  ceased,  for,  "as  he  that  was 
born  after  the  flesh  persecuted  him  that  was  born  after 
the  Spirit,  even  so  it  is  now."  "  Ail  that  will  live  godly 
in  Christ  Jesus,  shall  suffer  persecution."  The  poison  of 
the  old  serpent  is  as  active  and  deadly  in  its  nature  as 
ever.  It  is  only  through  the  restraining  power  of  God, 
when  its  destructive  effects  are  checked.  "  If  the  world 
hate  you,"  said  our  blessed  Lord,  "  ye  know  that  it  hated 
me  before  it  hated  you."  "  The  servant  is  not  greater 
than  his  lord.  If  they  have  persecuted  me,  they  will 
also  persecute  you."  Oh  !  then,  ye  servants  of  Jesus, 
be  not  afraid  of  them  that  kill  the  body,  and,  after  that, 
have  no  more  that  they  can  do.  Your  souls  are  safely 
guarded  by  your  almighty  Saviour ;  because  he  lives, 
you  shall  live  also. 

This  world  is  designed  to  be  a  place  of  trial.  The 
enemies  of  Jesus  may,  for  a  season,  be  permitted  to 
harass  his  church.  But  He  who  is  in  the  midst  of  her, 
is  omnipotent.  The  very  storm  which  threatens  her 
destruction  shall  be  overruled  to  promote  her  stability 
and  purity.  The  triumphing  of  the  wicked  is  short. 
Oh  !  what  fearfulness  will  seize  upon  the  enemies  of 
Zion.  when  her  king  shall  be  revealed  from  heaven  in 
flaming  Are,  to  take  vengeance  on  them  that  know  not 
God,  and  that  obey  not  the  Gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus 


DAY    OF    JUDGMENT.  473 

Christ ;  and  when  he  shall  come  to  be  glorified  in  his 
eaints,  and  to  be  admired  in  all  them  that  believe  !  Then 
will  the  pilgrim's  sigh  be  exchanged  for  the  song  of 
heaven. 

"  The  trumpet  shall  sound,  and  the  dead  shall  be 
raised."  But,  Oh!  how  awful  the  thought;  "some 
shall  awake  to  shame  and  everlasting  contempt."  This 
doom  Jesus  pronounced  when  on  earth  ;  "  whosoever 
shall  be  ashamed  of  me,  and  of  my  words,  in  this  adul- 
terous and  sinful  generation,  of  him  also  shall  the  Son 
of  man  be  ashamed,  when  he  cometh  in  the  glory  of  his 
Father  with  the  holy  angels."  Ashamed  of  Jesus'?  Yes, 
— thousands  of  decent  Christians,  who,  while  they  dread 
to  commit  acts  of  gross  immorality,  lest  a  stain  should 
be  affixed  to  their  character,  are  not  afraid  to  deny  Christ 
before  men.  They  are  ashamed  to  appear  in  the  rank 
of  his  faithful  followers  ;  they  shrink  from  the  imputa- 
tion of  being  righteous  over-much.  They  are  willing  to 
conform  to  the  duties  and  decencies  of  religion,  as  far  as 
the  world  approves,  and  common  custom  sanctions ;  but 
beyond  this,  they  dare  not  go.  They  love  the  praise  of 
men,  more  than  the  praise  of  God. 

Oh !  all  ye  Christians  of  this  highly-favored  age, 
who  refuse  to  deny  yourselves,  to  take  up  the  cross,  and 
to  follow  Christ  through  evil  report  and  good  report, 
how  overwhelming  will  be  your  condemnation  !  When 
standing  before  his  judgment-seat,  methinks  the  glorified 
Saviour  will  say  : — Behold,  ye  cowardly  Christians,  that 
noble  army  of  martyrs,  now  standing  at  my  right  hand, 
who  lived  in  the  days  when  Pagan  Rome  bathed  its 
sword  in  the  blood  of  my  saints.  In  the  view  of  racks 
and  tortures,  of  savage  beasts,  of  flames  and  crosses,  they 
confessed  me,  their  Cod  and  Saviour.  When  the  awful 
crisis  came — deny  or  die — they  freely  yielded  up  their 
lives  to  death,  for  my  sake  and  the  Gospel's.     See  also 

40* 


474  DAY    OF    JUDGMENT. 

this  glorious  company  of  the  faithful,  who  lived  in  the 
days  when  Papal  Rome  issued  its  bloody  mandates 
against  my  chosen  flock.  These  also  chose  to  die,  rather 
than  bear  the  mark  of  the  beast,  and  worship  his  image. 
But  ye,  double-minded  professors,  denied  me  in  the 
midst  of  outward  peace  and  personal  security,  when  my 
Gospel  was  faithfully  preached,  and  my  followers  were 
protected  by  the  laws  of  your  country.  What,  then, 
deterred  you  from  confessing  me  before  men  ?  Was  it 
something  more  dreadful  than  racks  and  flames?  Hear, 
Oh  heavens,  and  be  astonished  !  These  wretched  souls 
denied  me,  only  lest  they  should  encounter  the  shyness 
of  friends,  the  cold  looks  and  unkind  speeches  of  carnal 
relatives,  the  raillery  of  unbelievers,  the  sacrifice  of  some 
temporal  gain,  or  the  crucifixion  of  some  beloved  lust. 
They  preferred  sin  and  the  world  to  my  favor  and  hea- 
ven ;  therefore,  they  shall  have  their  part  in  the  lake 
which  burnetii  with  fire  and  brimstone. 

Such  will  be  the  doom  of  all  faint-hearted  and  false- 
hearted professors  of  the  Gospel,  who  shrink  from  suffer- 
ing, who  dread  to  sustain  the  consecrated  cross.  The 
word  of  God,  which  cannot  be  broken,  expressly  declares 
that  "  the  fearful  and  unbelieving,  and  all  liars,  shall 
have  their  part  in  the  lake  which  burnetii  with  fire  and 
brimstone,  which  is  the  second  death." 

The  day  of  judgment,  so  full  of  horrors  to  the  wicked, 
will  be  a  day  of  blessedness  to  the  righteous.  The  voice 
of  the  archangel,  and  the  trump  of  God,  will  announce 
the  joyful  hour  of  deliverance.  Their  sleeping  dust 
shall  be  changed  in  a  moment,  in  the  twinkling  of  an 
eye.  They  shall  be  made  like  unto  Christ's  glorious 
body,  and  dwell  for  ever  with  the  Lord.  Oh  blissful 
state,  when  sin  shall  no  longer  defile  nor  sorrow  distress; 
when  Satan  shall  never  again  be  permitted  to  tempt  or 
terrify  the  sheep  of  Christ ! 


DAY    OF    JUDGMENT.  475 

The  day  of  the  Lord  will  come  as  a  thief  in  the  night. 
When  men  are  saying  peace  and  safety,  then  sudden 
destruction  cometh  upon  them,  and  they  shall  not  es- 
cape As  it  was  in  the  days  of  Noah,  so  shall  the  com- 
ing of  the  Son  of  man  be.  How  important,  then,  is  a 
spirit  of  watchfulness  and  prayer  !  Blessed  are  they, 
who,  with  their  loins  girded,  and  their  lamps  burning, 
are  waiting  for  the  coming  of  their  Lord  ;  yea,  looking 
for  and  hasting  unto  the  coming  of  the  day  of  God.  But 
let  us  remember  the  foolish  virgins.  Have  we  oil  in  our 
vessels  with  our  lamps'?  Without  the  indwelling  Spirit, 
an  outward  profession  will  avail  us  nothing.  Oh  !  how 
awful  was  the  cry  when  the  approach  of  the  Bridegroom 
was  announced  : — "  Our  lamps  are  gone  out."  They 
slept  in  carnal  security,  and  awoke  to  endless  horrors. 
Then  would  they  have  entered  the  heavenly  mansion, 
but  "  the  door  was  shut :"  and,  being  once  closed,  was 
closed  for  ever. 

Nothing  will  stand  the  test  of  death  and  judgment  but 
the  religion  of  the  heart,  a  real  union  to  Christ  by  faith. 
Every  earthly  thing,  when  weighed  in  the  balance  of 
eternity,  is  less  than  nothing,  and  vanity.  Yet,  strange 
to  tell,  the  veriest  trifle  can  drive  futurity  from  our  minds, 
till  taught  the  value  of  the  soul  at  the  cross  of  Christ. 
Have  we  experienced  the  converting  grace  of  God  1  How 
wonderful  is  the  power  of  the  Spirit  in  the  regeneration 
of  a  sinner !  He  turns  the  wilderness  into  a  fruitful  field, 
and  makes  all  things  new.  Do  we  loathe  our  once  be- 
loved sins,  and  love  the  once  neglected  Saviour  ?  Are 
our  affections  tending  heavenward,  which  before  were 
buried  in  the  earth  1  How  happy  is  the  believer  in 
Jesus  !  He  is  filled  with  joy  and  peace.  Knowing  in 
whom  he  hath  believed,  he  can  repose  with  calm  reli- 
ance on  the  faithfulness  of  his  Redeemer.  Whilst  jour- 
neying through  the  wilderness,  he  feeds  upon  the  heav- 


476  DAY    OF    JUDGMENT. 

enly  manna,  and  is  refreshed  by  living  water  from  the 
smitten  Rock.  The  pillar  of  fire,  and  the  cloud,  guide 
and  protect  him.  Underneath  and  around  him  are 
the  everlasting  arms.  He  realizes  the  sweetness  of  the 
promise,  "The  beloved  of  the  Lord  shall  dwell  in  safety 
by  him,  and  the  Lord  shall  cover  him  all  the  day  long." 
And  as  he  approaches  the  banks  of  Jordan — the  cold 
stream  of  death  which  rolls  between  him  and  his  prom- 
ised rest — he  hears  a  voice  from  heaven  proclaiming, 
"  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord  from 
henceforth  :  yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest 
from  their  labors,  and  their  works  do  follow  them." 
Full  of  faith  and  hope,  he  falls  asleep  in  Jesus,  and 
enters  into  the  joy  of  his  Lord.  Mark  the  perfect  man, 
and  behold  the  upright,  for  the  end  of  that  man  is 
peace. 


THE    END. 


Princeton  Theological  Semmary-Spe 


1    1012  01003  6558 


